The American Heart Association, the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health for all, announced the 2021 Westchester Go Red for Women® Digital Experience to support the fight to end heart disease and stroke, will be held on May 27, 2021 at 12 noon. This event is designed to raise awareness of the number one killer of women: cardiovascular disease. The event is chaired by Dawn French, Senior Vice President, Community Relations & Marketing at White Plains Hospital.
“The perception that heart disease and stroke only affect older men is one that we have to work hard to dispel – because cardiovascular disease is a very real threat to everyone, regardless of age or gender,” Ms. French says. “In fact, heart attacks are actually on the rise in younger women[1]. Understanding the risk factors is critical to leading a longer, healthier life and the AHA has made great progress in increasing awareness about the risks in women, but we need to keep this momentum going.”
New findings from an American Heart Association special report published in September 2020 analyzing 10-year trends in women’s awareness that cardiovascular disease is their greatest health threat, show critical gaps in awareness among women ages 25-34 and Black and Hispanic women of all ages. The American Heart Association is calling for more to be done. There is an urgent need for public health organizations, government, health care professionals and community organizations to join forces and provide solutions to improve awareness, especially among young, Black, and Hispanic women.
The Go Red for Women Digital Experience will be held as a virtual gathering to and will spotlight the lifesaving work of the Association and the Go Red for Women movement. A highlight of the digital experience will be a live panel discussion on the inequities in women’s healthcare moderated by News 12’s Lisa Larocca. Panelists will include Dr. Ruth Barrow, obstetrician and gynecologist, White Plains Physician Associates; Dr. Icilma Fergus, Associate Professor of Medicine and Director of Cardiovascular Disparities at Mt. Sinai Medical Center and the Immediate Past President of the American Heart Association’s Westchester Board of Directors; and Dr. Darren Wu, Chief Medical Officer, Open Door Family Medical Center and member of the American Heart Association’s Westchester Board of Directors.
While nearly 80 percent of cardiac events may be prevented, cardiovascular disease continues to be a woman’s greatest health threat. One in three women in Westchester live with some form of cardiovascular disease and it’s on the rise in younger women. To prevent cardiovascular disease, women should understand family health history, know their numbers and make lifestyle changes like moving more, eating smart and managing their blood pressure.
This year marks the 17th anniversary of the American Heart Association’s launch of the Go Red for Women Movement nationwide. Go Red for Women is rooted in raising awareness among women that cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for women around the world.
For more information about Go Red for Women in Westchester County please contact Megan Lucas at megan.lucas@heart.org or visit WestchesterGoRed.heart.org.
