The month of February witnesses one of the most fascinating observances in health and awareness in the United States. National Wear Red Day is celebrated every year on the first Friday of February in the US, when men and women dress up in red to show their support towards women’s heart health and its awareness. This year, it was observed on February 3.

The Genesis

The National Wear Red Day campaign The Heart Truth is sponsored in the United States by National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, an organization under the United States Department of Health and Human Services. The campaign mainly focuses on educating women aged between 40 to 60, as that is the time when the risk of heart disease begins to elevate. According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, Coronary Heart Disease is the “#1 killer of women in the United States”. National Wear Red Day, 14 years now since its observance, aims to bring national attention to this fact and raise awareness of women’s heart health.

The Red Dress

The Heart Truth created and introduced the Red Dress as the national symbol for women and heart disease awareness in 2002. With heart disease and stroke causing 1 in 3 deaths among women each year, the campaign reminded women of the #1 threat to their health and the fact it is largely preventable, inspiring them to act!

Milestones Accomplished

The concept behind National Wear Red Day has motivated women to make tremendous strides.

• More than one-third of women have lost weight.
• Over 50% of women have increased their exercise.
• 6 out of 10 women have brought a change in their diet.
• Deaths among women due to heart disease has dwindled by more than 30%.

Every year on National Wear Red Day, people from all walks of life don red in their attire and unite in this awareness-to-action campaign, making a lifesaving fashion statement!