The American Heart Association, through its Go Red for Women movement sponsored by CVS Health, is calling for urgent action during American Heart Month with a four-step plan centered on National Wear Red Day on February 6, 2026. This initiative responds to the stark reality that cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of women in the United States, affecting nearly half of the female population, with the figure expected to grow.
The first action is a public awareness campaign encouraging individuals to wear red on February 6 and use social media hashtags like #WearRedDay to spread the message. Tools and resources to support this effort are available at https://WearRedDay.org, and the iconic Red Dress pin symbolizing the fight against heart disease in women can be purchased at https://ShopHeart.org.
The second step focuses on personal health metrics. Women are urged to know and manage their key health numbers—total cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar, and body mass index—with a healthcare provider. Proactively managing these factors can significantly reduce the risk of developing heart disease and stroke.
The third component tackles a critical deficiency in medical research. While cardiovascular disease claims more women's lives each year than all cancers combined, most clinical studies historically lack sufficient women-specific data. To bridge this gap, the Association's Research Goes Red initiative actively calls on women to contribute to health research by participating in surveys and studies. This participation is vital for generating data that can lead to improved prevention, diagnosis, and management of heart disease and stroke in women.
The final step involves celebrating and amplifying the voices of survivors. Twelve women representing the Go Red for Women movement in 2026 will share their personal stories of battling heart disease and stroke. Their narratives, available at https://goredforwomen.org/survivors, aim to raise awareness about the very real risks women face and highlight the resources available for support and recovery.
"National Wear Red Day is a powerful reminder that when we come together, we can change the future of women's health," said Dr. Stacey E. Rosen, volunteer president of the American Heart Association. The overarching goal of the movement is to ensure every woman has the knowledge, tools, and community support necessary for a longer, healthier life, with comprehensive resources accessible at https://GoRedforWomen.org.
