The Heart Truth Campaign

Heart disease is the #1 killer of American women with Alabama ranking above the national average in deaths due to heart disease. In Alabama more women die of heart disease than die of cancer, but many women do not realize they are at risk. To make women more aware of the danger of heart disease, the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) Office of Women’s Health, the Cardiovascular Health Program and the Office of Minority Health partnered with the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) to sponsor The Heart Truth for Women Campaign in Alabama.

What is The Heart Truth?

The Heart Truth is a national awareness and prevention campaign about heart disease in women sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), part of the National Institutes of Health of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Heart Truth information targets women ages 40 to 60, the time when a women's risk of heart disease begins to increase. But its messages are also important for younger women since heart disease develops gradually and can start at a young age. Older women have an interest as well--it's never too late to take action to prevent and control the risk factors for heart disease. Individuals who are interested in raising awareness in their communities are trained with the NHLBI The Heart Truth outreach/speaker kit materials to become "Heart Truth Champions." The Champions commit to disseminate this information by engaging members from their communities four times in a twelve month period and the NHLBI provides free outreach material for the four events.

The Red Dress Symbol

The Heart Truth first introduced the Red Dress as the national symbol for women and heart disease awareness during Fashion Week in 2003. The symbol is a red alert that reminds women of the need to protect their heart health and inspires them to take action. Since its introduction, women around the country have rallied around the Red Dress and are taking ownership of the symbol.

To find out more about The Heart Truth campaign.

For more information, contact the Alabama Department of Public Health Office of Women's Health by phone at (334) 206-5226 or by email.