February is American Heart Month, a time to raise awareness about cardiovascular health, support those affected by heart disease and promote heart-healthy living. It’s a great opportunity to engage your employees in activities that go beyond simply wearing red. Here are some ideas for getting everyone involved.
Did you know?
- Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men, women, and people of most racial and ethnic groups.1
- Diabetes and heart disease often go hand-in-hand. People with diabetes are twice as likely to have heart disease or a stroke than people without diabetes.2
- On average, someone in the U.S. dies of cardiovascular disease every 34 seconds and there are 2,580 U.S. deaths from cardiovascular disease each day (based on 2022 data).3
- Heart disease cost about $417.9 billion from 2020 to 2021. This includes the cost of health care services, medicines, and lost productivity due to death.4
The good news is that lifestyle changes and healthy habits can have a major effect on preventing cardiovascular disease. American Heart Month is a great time to plan workplace activities to raise awareness about cardiovascular health, promote heart-healthy lifestyle changes and raise funds for research and support. Here are some suggestions to get you started.
Educational activities to increase heart health awareness.
Shed light on heart disease in women.
Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of women, causing one in three deaths each year, and is more deadly than all forms of cancer combined.5 And yet, many women still view heart disease as something that mostly affects men. Partner with women’s Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) to boost awareness.
Lunch-and-learn sessions.
Schedule presentations featuring cardiologists, heart attack survivors or health care professionals to discuss heart disease prevention, risk factors, warning signs and treatment options.
Daily heart health tips.
During the month of February share facts, survivor stories and prevention tips through internal communication channels, emails and workplace social media posts.
Heart health screening events.
Partner with local health care providers or your well-being program provider to offer blood pressure checks, cholesterol screenings or cardiovascular risk assessments.
Employee testimonials.
Encourage employees to share their personal experiences with heart disease to foster empathy and understanding.
CPR and AED training.
Provide hands-on training in CPR and automated external defibrillator (AED) use. Knowing these lifesaving skills can make a critical difference in cardiac emergencies.
Fundraising and support activities to celebrate American Heart Month at work.
Wear Red Days.
Encourage employees to wear red on designated days and make donations to heart health organizations like the American Heart Association or local cardiac care programs.
Promotional items.
Distribute red ribbons, heart-healthy recipe cards or raffle off a fitness tracker.
Creative fundraising events.
Host heart-healthy bake sales, silent auctions or raffles to raise money for cardiac research or local heart health initiatives.
Charity events.
Enter company teams in local heart walks or charity runs to show community support and raise money for cardiovascular research.
Community engagement activities.
Local partnerships.
Collaborate with local cardiac care centers or heart health organizations to amplify their efforts and resources.
Patient care packages.
Sponsor care packages for cardiac patients undergoing treatment or recovery, including heart-healthy cookbooks, stress relief tools or gift cards to heart-healthy restaurants or grocery stores.
Transportation and meal support.
Offer practical assistance to employees and their family members who may be undergoing cardiac treatment or rehabilitation.
Wellness-focused activities for employees.
Movement challenges.
Organize walks, step challenges or other physical activity programs to bring awareness to the importance of regular exercise in maintaining cardiovascular health.
Nutrition and lifestyle seminars.
Cover topics like heart-healthy eating, sodium reduction, stress management and lifestyle choices that reduce cardiovascular risk factors.
Mindfulness programs.
Offer meditation sessions, yoga classes or stress management workshops to reduce chronic stress that can negatively impact heart health.
Heart-healthy cooking demonstrations.
Feature recipes rich in omega-3 fatty acids, whole grains, lean proteins and colorful vegetables that support cardiovascular wellness.
Mental health workshops.
Address the connection between mental health and heart health, covering topics like anxiety management, depression awareness and healthy coping strategies. Share how employees can take advantage of Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) for support.
Smoking cessation programs.
Provide resources and support for employees who want to quit smoking or vaping, as tobacco use is a major risk factor for heart disease.
Celebrate heart health all year long.
The most effective heart health awareness efforts go beyond February. Consider incorporating these elements into your year-round workplace well-being efforts:
- Promote preventive screenings: Ensure employees know their medical benefits include coverage for blood pressure checks, cholesterol tests and other cardiovascular screenings. Send regular reminders to employees about the importance of preventive care.
- Share heart health tips: Include cardiovascular health information in your organization’s well-being communications.
- Support employees experiencing heart conditions: Accommodate employees with flexible work arrangements, including remote work and alternate work hours.
As you plan your organization’s American Heart Month agenda, choose activities that align with your company culture and employee interests. By combining education, support, and community engagement, you’ll create a February observance that truly makes a difference, while fostering a workplace culture that values health and supports one another year-round.
To learn more about how we can help you create a workplace well-being program that promotes good health all year long, get in touch with us today.
