As the world continues to live with the pandemic, economic crisis and the racial/social justice reckoning, we will have to work through a few major things personally and collectively. During difficult times like this, it is even more important to reflect on how exactly your health and well-being are faring. World Heart Day is an excellent opportunity to take charge of your health.
World Heart Day, founded by the World Heart Federation, takes place every year on September 29 and aims to increase awareness of heart disease and stroke. The American Heart Association is a founding member of the World Heart Federation and is helping to amplify this year’s #UseHeart to Beat Cardiovascular Disease campaign.
WHD is about what you can do to get and keep your heart healthy. The American Heart Association prides itself on the extensive work we do to provide the information to get you to optimal heart health. #UseHeart to get involved.
Here are just a few ways the American Heart Association is using heart to do that:
- The AHA is working to make sure heart and stroke patients understand how COVID-19 could uniquely affect them and are armed with the research and knowledge on how to best protect themselves.
- We are taking care of our own employees and leading with swift action and innovative collaborations to solve for and ease the pandemic while recognizing heroes on the front lines.
- The AHA is carrying out its crucial role of convener by working with organizations, volunteers and a vast network of medical professionals around the globe to make sure that we swiftly and accurately share the latest evidence regarding care for people who contract COVID-19 – for the public, patients, caregivers and health care professionals.
- COVID-19 will also show us the functionality of the U.S. health care system and help us identify what is needed to achieve health equity – accurate health information, access to health care, and optimal public health response regardless of gender, race or ethnicity.
#UseHeart to engage your employees. Employee wellbeing has never been so important and is a key factor in recruitment and retention. #UseHeart to deliver responsibly. Help your corporation deliver against the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). “Ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages.” – SDG (Source: https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/health/) #UseHeart to create reach and impact. Be part of a worldwide initiative and a global campaign that is easy to activate.
#UseHeart to take part. We are living in unprecedented times. We don’t know what course the COVID-19 pandemic will take in the future, but we do know that taking care of our hearts is more important than ever. So, this year on 29 September, help spread the word by visiting the content hub https://www.world-heart-federation.org/world-heart-day/whd-resources/.
The call to action is to inspire and ask our community, friends, family, to #UseHeart. You can #UseHeart to eat well, drink wisely, get more active and say no to tobacco. We challenge everyone #UseHeart, and share it on social media using #NOLAWHD2020.
Additionally, we are always looking for volunteers, sponsors, advocates, social media ambassadors, and more to help the American Heart Association do the work we do on the local level. We don’t just raise funds to provide for lifesaving research, we are on the ground taking part in so many opportunities to affect change in our community. We’d love anyone who is interested in learning more to contact the local AHA at AHANewOrleans@heart.org or to visit www.heart.org/neworleans. Additionally, you can call our office at (504) 872-3500.
About the New Orleans American Heart Association: The New Orleans American Heart Association fosters collective action through our local programs and partnerships that aim to improve quality of life, increase opportunity, and ensure care for all our neighbors. Every member of our community should be able to achieve well-being supported by the places they live, learn, work, play, pray, and heal.
Written by Coretta Lagarde, Senior Community Impact Director/ American Heart Association
