American Heart Month

Heart Month in February is right around the corner. Each year, the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) actively promotes good heart health during the month. Many other organizations, including most care providers, take the cue and amplify their messaging, as well. For example, February 4th is National Wear Red Day®, part of the Go Red for Women® campaign from the American Heart Association. Of course, the universal goal is to encourage Americans to adopt healthy lifestyles to prevent heart disease, or seek treatment if needed.

Now is the time to prepare heart disease awareness programs for your community. Shockingly, many people are unaware of their health risks and the potential consequences of heart disease. You can make a real difference in peoples’ lives without too much effort. Even though health systems need to remain focused on COVID-19, it is important remember that heart disease is still a serious problem according to the NHLBI and American Heart Association. Additionally, COVID-19 not only affects lungs but can also cause severe heart complications.

Leverage the Momentum

So, take advantage of the synergistic atmosphere around Heart Month and really make the effort to raise awareness of these dangerous conditions. It takes a lot to rise above the din of the 24-hour news cycle and ever-increasing streaming content. Health months really help cut through the noise. As tired as it may seem, try to look for ways to creatively offer heart health info and motivational wellness materials on your web site and other channels, new and traditional during the month.

Heart Month Tips

Here are a few tips on how you might promote American Heart Month at your hospital:

• Tap into Free Resources
  For example, here is a free toolkit from last year from the CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/american_heart_month.htm. Also, National Wear red Day resources are here: https://www.goredforwomen.org/en/get-involved/give/wear-red-and-give
• Patient Stories
  A good patient story, especially video interviews, can really be motivational. They don’t even have to be new, just showcased differently. Chances are a whole new audience will consume them during heart month.
• Think Outside the Box
  A hospital in Pasadena, CA placed red caps on all its newborns to raise awareness for women’s heart health. Parents also received American Heart Association resources about raising a heart-healthy family. Reaching new moms and their families can place the whole family on the road to better heart health right from the beginning.
• Engaging Heart Health Content
  Motivate and educate consumers with online education resources, like our Heart Health Assessment. Hospitals, clinics, and health care systems use health assessments to connect with at-risk consumers and encourage them to see their doctors if the science dictates. Contact Medicom Health support staff for tips on how to optimize your calls-to-action for maximum impact during Heart Month.
• Utilize Social Media
  Use Facebook and Twitter resources from NHLBI to encourage people to be heart healthy together. Don’t be afraid to utilize the professionals, like the experts at Eruptr to make the most of these channels.

Health Awareness – More than a Buzzword

Heart health awareness is important every year. But with the stress and anxiety people are experiencing in dealing with the pandemic, and the impact of staying home so much more, health awareness is more important now than ever. It is too easy to stay home and ignore looming health issues. Educate and motivate you community into health action!

P.S. – Even if it is too late for you to take advantage of Heart Month this year, start planning ahead for other health observance months. The extra momentum your campaigns get are obviously a great way to save time, money, and energy in a year when we all need it. here is a great high-level health and wellness month calendar: https://mediatracks.com/resources/health-wellness-awareness-calendar-2022/