Sisterhood of the Red Dress spreads the word about women and heart disease
“Sisterhood of the Traveling Red Dress” sponsored by Free People From Tobacco, a Tobacco Community Partnership, is back to spread the message about women and heart disease, as the red dress travels from place to place.
“When women see the dress and learn about risk factors for heart disease, they become part of the ‘Sisterhood’ and tell other women,” said Judy Boye, Outreach Coordinator for Free People From Tobacco.
Heart disease is still the number one killer of women. According to the American Heart Association, smoking is a woman’s single most preventable risk factor for heart disease.
One of the unique features of the “Sisterhood of the Traveling Red Dress” is the seven “Red Dresses,” to be displayed in Red Oak, Shenandoah, Clarinda, Lenox, Bedford, Fremont County and Villisca. In each of these places, a pretty red dress is displayed on a mannequin with a sash that says, “Sisterhood of the Traveling Red Dress.” The display board lists the main risk factors for heart disease in women. Materials such as a family history tree and a “What’s Your Risk” checklist accompany the display.
“We are hoping this will help women make the connection between their heart health and the choices they make, such as quitting smoking,” explained Boye.
Smoking cigarettes is directly linked to 30 percent of all coronary heart deaths in the United States each year according to the American Heart Association.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recognize that chronic diseases like heart disease are responsible for 75 percent of health care costs in the U.S.
“We need to not just become a health advocate for ourselves, but also for our communities,” stated Boye. “It is important for women to recognize symptoms of a heart attack and act on them.”
Studies have shown quitting smoking will reduce the risk of heart disease even in someone who has smoked for many years.
The concept for this event comes from the American Heart Association’s Go Red Day, which encourages people to wear red Friday, Feb. 3.
Look for the Red Dress at Schweser’s, Dental Care PC, Red Oak Physicians Clinic, WIC (Montgomery County Public Health), and HyVee during the month.
There will also be a display during the Red Oak High School girls’ basketball game at 6 p.m., Friday, Feb. 3, and attendees are encouraged to wear red.
For information or to get help with quitting smoking, Quitline Iowa offers free and confidential counseling. Their number is 1-800-784-8669, or contact Free People From Tobacco at (712)246-2332. For more information on “Go Red for Women” visit www.goredforwomen.org.
Judy Boye, Outreach Coordinator
Free People From Tobacco
A Division of Page County Public Health
Serving: Fremont, Montgomery, Page and Taylor Counties
1208 W. Nishna Rd., Suite B, Shenandoah, Iowa, 51601