Area Churches Go Red for Women
Studies have shown that church-based health intervention helps reduce stroke and heart disease risk behaviors in women. Since heart disease and stroke are the #1 and #4 killers of Alabama women respectively, the American Heart Association (AHA) is partnering with churches to help congregations focus on healthy lifestyles and raise awareness for heart disease risk. 1 in 3 women will die of heart disease or stroke, but only 1 in 5 women know that cardiovascular diseases are her greatest health threat. The AHA’s Have Faith in Heart program invites faith communities to conduct Go Red for Women educational activities in February for Heart Month or any other month in order to encourage female members – and those who love them – to focus on their heart health. “We believe in ministering to the whole person – mind, body and spirit. Connecting faith with heart health is absolutely essential if people are going to be successful in making lifestyle changes that can last,” said AHA Healthy Living Coordinator Cassandra Smith Mynatt, adding, there are many ways churches can be involved:
- Participate in National Wear Red Day, Friday February 3, by having members of your congregation dress up in red and raise awareness for the #1 killer of women. Post pictures on social media using the hashtag #BhamGoRed.
- Participate in Red Sunday, February 5, by dedicating all or part of your faith service to raising awareness for cardiovascular issues. Have a church member who has been affected by heart disease speak or share educational information that could save lives. Post pictures of your events using the hashtag #ALFaithinHeart.
- Put up a heart disease awareness display for February’s Heart Month.
- Include education materials within your service program.
- Host a heart event.
For resources on all these ideas and more, request a free Have Faith in Heart church toolkit by contacting Cassandra Smith Mynatt, [email protected], 205-396-9223.†
