Category:
Newsletter Feature - WV

Advocates came to the Capitol for Wear Red Day!
Earlier this month, advocates from across the state came together to advocate for heart health and the issues they care most about.
A group of You’re the Cure advocates, coalition partners, and more joined us for the Association’s Wear Red Day. We first had a press conference on the importance of heart health policy, and heard from young advocates and legislators passionate about heart health policy. Then, we went out across the Capitol to meet with legislators and spread awareness of heart health policy. These advocates put a face and a story to why heart health impacts all the residents of West Virginia.
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Join us for Wear Red Day at the Capitol!
We are pleased to announce the American Heart Association’s Wear Red Day at the Capitol on February 2nd in Charleston! This will be a day to raise awareness about heart disease and stroke.
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Despite FDA action, flavored tobacco policy still critical locally.
“Doubt is our Product” is a quote from a former tobacco executive in 1969. Tobacco companies have tried to sew doubt into the minds of Americans for decades. They want you to doubt that their products are harmful to your health. They want you to ignore that the World Health Organization says smokers are likely more vulnerable to severe and potentially life-threatening cases of COVID-19. They want you to forget that they have a history of marketing flavored tobacco, including menthol to communities of color.
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How to create an effective elevator speech.
Have you heard of the 27 - 9 - 3 rule? Created by Vermont legislators many years ago to help with persuading their fellow lawmakers, this rule states that your pitch should be no longer than 27 words within a time frame of no longer than 9 seconds with no more than 3 points discussed.

West Virginia passes water bottle filling stations law for schools!
As West Virginia legislative session winds down, we are excited to announce a big win for the health of youth in WV! This year we were able to get a bill passed that requires new building or major renovations of a school to include water filling stations. When signed by the Governor into law, this bill will help provide youth better access to clean drinking water throughout their school day - an important factor in overall youth health.
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Schools Must Address Access to Water
Water plays an important role in maintaining overall health. Drinking water supports muscles, joints, and tissues; improves the digestive system; and keeps bodies hydrated. This is vital to the well being of children and their growth. Drinking water helps with learning as well. If a child is well hydrated, they can see better results in their efforts in school. Staying well hydrated helps improve short-term memory, fine motor skills, and visual attention – all things that help the success of kids in the classroom and beyond. But- how kids hydrate also matters.
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Let us know who you know!
Our mission is to be a relentless force for a heart-healthy world—and we cannot do it without you. So, we have a request, and this one is simple.
We are hoping you can change some HEARTS and minds.
Do you have a connection with a local legislator, school board member, state representative, state senator, member of Congress, or anyone with government influence? If so, you may be the best channel to influence their HEARTS by advocating with yours.
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Help Hunters Have More Hunting Seasons
Hunting is a way of life in West Virginia. Every fall, thousands of hunters get out to enjoy the beautiful, serene environment they live in and love. To sit quietly and connect with nature and each other. But, for some hunters, this season may have been their last season - because their lives were changed by a cardiovascular event.
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Putting Heart Health First this Holiday Season
As we begin the holiday season, so too do we begin the start of all our favorite yummy, cozy, tasty treats that we all love and sometimes wait all season to enjoy. But, this is also a time where we can get off track with our goals of making healthier food choices. This is all the more difficult when access to healthier foods is a struggle. Here are some tips for how you can have a heart healthier holiday season – and help ensure others have a good shot at one too.
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All families should have access to healthier food choices!
Now that kids are returning to school, it’s a good time to think about how we can support their healthier eating habits while making sure the choices available are not only good for them, but what they’ll actually eat!
Access to healthier foods can be difficult for many families and children in rural communities and cities who don’t live close to any store with fresh produce and if they do, then the quality might also make it a barrier. This is why we are working to support programs that help children and families access healthier foods. Programs like produce RX, where doctors prescribe healthier foods for families, and they can receive them free at participating stores. Or supporting the expansion of food assistance for families that need it most. During our worst moments the past couple of years, we learned how many people are really facing food insecurity. If we can help make it easier to access healthy foods, then we can give children and families a better opportunity for longer, healthier lives.
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