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U.S. Women Encouraged to Take Action for Their Heart Health Through New 'Red Shoe for Action Initiative'

Posted on: Tuesday, 16 January 2007, 12:00 CST

BOCA RATON, Fla., Jan. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- The Spirit of Women Hospital Network announces the launch of a new yearlong "Red Shoe for Action Initiative" as part of the 2007 "Day of Dance for Cardiovascular Health," which are fun, informational events taking place February 24 in more than 50 communities across America. The new "Red Shoe" initiative will encourage women on a local level to take action to help prevent the chance of developing heart disease or having a stroke just as its sister program, the "Red Dress Project," successfully raises national awareness of heart health for women.

"Our hope for the new Red Shoe for Action Initiative is that women will truly recognize what they need to do, all year long, to help prevent the chance of developing heart disease or having a stroke for themselves, their sisters, mothers, and friends," said Tanya Abreu, President and National Program Director, Spirit of Women Hospital Network. "Having fun and being healthy doesn't have to be mutually exclusive -- we hope women will join us for Day of Dance to have fun, discover a new passion, embrace the goals of the Red Shoe for Action Initiative, and end up healthier, with healthier families, in the long run."

"The Red Shoe Initiative" will include local events in communities across the U.S. throughout the year. Each event, like "Day of Dance for Cardiovascular Health," will take on the flair and character of each community that serves as a host. These events will consist of evening receptions, fashion shows, and various events in skating rinks and other venues that encourage women to take action for their heart health.

About Day of Dance for Cardiovascular Health

"Day of Dance for Cardiovascular Health" events will be hosted by more than 50 affiliate hospitals of the Spirit of Women Hospital Network. Lasting from four to six hours, the events will include dancing, prominent physician speakers, screenings, tips on healthy cooking and stress reduction, and other activities to remind participants that heart disease prevention can be a fun and energizing experience. For a list of participating hospitals, go to http://www.dayofdance.org/.

"Day of Dance for Cardiovascular Health" is also supported by an Honorary Celebrity Board, which includes:

* Rebecca Romijn -- Actress, "X-Men,""Punisher,""Femme Fatale" * Marilu Henner -- Actress best loved for roles on "Taxi" and "Who's the Boss" * Neve Campbell -- Actress, "The Company,""Party of Five" (Julia), "Scream,""Wild Things" * Emily Procter -- Actress, "CSI Miami,""West Wing" * Cheryl Burke -- "Dancing with the Stars" winner Drew Lachey and Emmit Smith * Jennie Garth -- Actress, "What I Like About You,""Beverly Hills, 90210" * Carrie Ann Inaba -- Choreographer and "Dancing with the Stars" judge * Nikki Cox -- Actress, "Las Vegas,""The Norm Show,""Unhappily Ever After" * John O'Hurley -- Host of "Family Feud;" Actor, "Seinfeld,""Dancing with the Stars" season 2 * Dayna Devon -- Co-Host, "EXTRA" * Harry Hamlin -- "Dancing with the Stars" Contestant; Actor, "L.A. Law,""Veronica Mars" * Sheila Kelly -- Actress, "Singles,""Dancing At The Blue Iguana," and creator of "S Factor Workout" * Kathy Kaehler -- Celebrity fitness trainer and "Today" Fitness Expert * Giselle Fernandez -- Television news journalist and "Dancing with the Stars" Contestant * Jean Smart -- Actress, "24,""In-Laws,""Style & Substance,""Designing Women" * Brenda Strong -- Actress, "Desperate Housewives" (Mary Alice Young), "Seinfeld" (Sue Ellen), "Starship Troopers" * Tiffani Thiessen -- Actress, "Beverly Hills, 90210,""Saved By the Bell,""Fast Lane"

According to the American Heart Association website, nearly 500,000 women die each year of cardiovascular disease, making it the #1 killer of American women, and heart disease kills six times more women than breast cancer.

In the fight against heart disease, consumers need to understand the factors that place women at greater risk for developing heart disease, such as high cholesterol. For example, it is important to know that while diet (food) can contribute significantly to elevated LDL ("bad") cholesterol, the body's natural chemistry can often produce high levels of LDL cholesterol based on heredity (family) alone. Day of Dance has partnered with http://www.2sourcesofcholesterol.com/spirit as an online resource to help inform women and their families about what the sources of high cholesterol are and how to make changes to lower your cholesterol, with a focus on diet and exercise.

The 2007 National Day of Dance for Cardiovascular Health is presented by the Spirit of Women Hospital Network, The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute and The Heart Truth campaign, Merck/Schering-Plough Pharmaceuticals, Bristol-Myers Squibb/sanofi Pharmaceutical Partnership, Good Housekeeping magazine, and 2sourcesofcholesterol.com.

The Heart Truth is a national awareness campaign on women and heart disease sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), part of the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The Heart Truth introduced the Red Dress as the national symbol for women and heart disease awareness in 2003.

Merck/Schering-Plough Pharmaceuticals is a joint venture between Merck & Co., Inc. and Schering-Plough Corporation formed to develop and market in the United States new prescription medicines in cholesterol management. The collaboration includes worldwide markets (excluding Japan).

Good Housekeeping magazine -- together with the Good Housekeeping Institute and the Good Housekeeping Seal -- has become synonymous with the gold standard of quality and integrity. Good Housekeeping was founded in 1885, and maintains a commitment to the modern home and to a woman's quality of life. It publishes 15 editions worldwide, and is an internationally recognized brand that sets the standard to which all other women's service magazines aspire.

About sanofi-aventis

sanofi-aventis is the world's third largest pharmaceutical company, ranking number one in Europe. Backed by a world-class R&D organization, sanofi-aventis is developing leading positions in seven major therapeutic areas: cardiovascular, thrombosis, oncology, metabolic diseases, central nervous system, internal medicine, and vaccines. sanofi-aventis is listed in Paris (EURONEXT: SAN) and in New York .

About Bristol-Myers Squibb

Bristol-Myers Squibb is a global pharmaceutical and related health care products company whose mission is to extend and enhance human life.

About Spirit of Women

The Spirit of Women Hospital Network is a national coalition of hospitals and healthcare facilities in more than 60 U.S. cities joined together to improve women's health by inspiring access and action on local, regional and national levels. Utilizing national resources to improve healthcare in local communities, Spirit of Women aims to educate and care for women in a unique way that emphasizes total well-being -- body, mind, and spirit -- and impacts all aspects of a woman's life, including family, health and work. Though a variety of means, including educational events, networking opportunities, consumer loyalty programs, national awards, and promotion of research, Spirit of Women addresses health topics such as menopause, cancer, incontinence, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, healthy pregnancy, and many more. For more information, visit http://www.spiritofwomen.com/ and http://www.dayofdance.org/.

Spirit of Women

CONTACT: Contact: Tara DiMilia, 908-369-7168

Web site: http://www.spiritofwomen.com/http://www.dayofdance.org/http://www.2sourcesofcholesterol.com/spirit

Source: PRNewswire

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