The heart tree created by Bellingham senior residents.

Go Red for Heart Health!

The heart tree created by Bellingham senior residents.
The heart tree created by Bellingham senior residents.

On February 3rd, MHNW celebrated National Wear Red Day in support of women’s heart health. Each year, the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women movement advocates for more research, awareness, and action for women’s heart health. One in three women die from heart disease annually – it is the number one killer of women. Stay informed and learn your facts about heart disease.

To encourage heart-healthy practices among our residents, various Mercy Housing sites across the state, from Bellingham to Kent, and down to Tacoma hosted Go Red Day activities for the residents. Seniors in Bellingham created a heart tree with actions that keep your heart healthy – they plan to continue adding to the tree throughout the year.

Residents in Kent dressed in red at the Go Red Day presentation
Residents in Kent dressed in red at the Go Red Day presentation.

Nearly 40 residents in Kent attended a presentation on how managing a healthy weight contributes to a healthy heart. MHNW’s Community Health Worker arranged for a Russian-speaking naturopath to conduct the session, given that Russian is the native language of these residents. This session was part of a 3-month program, called Road to Good Health. The program is part of a larger regional health innovation project of the King County Accountable Community of Health; learn more about how MHNW and our partners are bringing health home through our Community Health Workers initiative.