Roughly 15 years ago, a movement took place to help raise awareness for an issue affecting women across the country.

Fast forward to today where officials with the Carter County/Elizabethton Health Department are continuing to take part in the movement to “Wear Red” for heart health.

The initiative, dubbed “National Wear Red Day,” is set on Feb. 2 and was created by the American Heart Association and the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute in 2003 to take action against a disease that was “claiming the lives of nearly 500,000 American women each year” according to the movement’s website.

“During the day, we’ll be wearing red to help raise awareness for heart health in women,” said Jaime Lawson, health educator with the county’s department. “There has been so much progress made thanks to the movement and we want to continue doing our part while encouraging the community to take part.”

Tackling the number one killer of women has been no easy task, but progress has been made, according to information provided by goredforwomen.org.

Since 2017, health officials have noticed significant improvements within women, including nearly 300 fewer women dying from heart disease and stroke. According to Go Red For Women, death in women has decreased by more than 30 percent over the past 10-plus years.

Lawson added the health department is available for any individual looking to learn more information about checks and screenings about heart health.

Visit www.goredforwomen.org to learn more about the national movement.