February is American Heart Month and National Cancer Prevention Month. Read on to learn more about both!

American Heart Month

  • Between 2017 and 2020, 127.9 million U.S. adults had some form of CVD. Between 2020 and 2021, direct and indirect costs of total CVD were $417.9 billion.
  • In 2017 to 2020 in the United States, 59.0% of non-Hispanic Black females and 58.9% of non-Hispanic Black males had some form of CVD. This race category had the highest prevalence of CVD.
  • The American Heart Association gauges the cardiovascular health of the nation by tracking eight key health factors and behaviors that increase risks for heart disease and stroke. The eight key factors are: not-smoking, physical activity, healthy diet, healthy body weight, sleep health, and control of cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar.

National Cancer Prevention Month

  • The federal government estimates that 2 million Americans were diagnosed with cancer during 2024, and that more than 600,000 died from their disease.
  • Research shows that more than 40% of these cases and nearly half of the deaths can be attributed to preventable causes—smoking, excess body weight, physical inactivity, and excessive exposure to the sun, among others.
  • Studies have shown that residents who live in redlined and disadvantaged neighborhoods share a higher burden of cancer. An analysis of US cancer deaths during 2015–2019 in relation to residential segregation found that residents of disadvantaged neighborhoods had a 22 percent higher mortality rate for all cancers combined compared to those living in advantaged neighborhoods.
  • Findings of a recent study of women with breast cancer who were active duty, veteran or medical beneficiaries and were treated at a military health care system suggest that disparities in survival outcomes between Black and White patients are virtually eliminated when equitable access to quality health care is provided.

Health Resources

  • Illinois Department of Public Health Springfield Headquarters Office 525-535 West Jefferson St.
    Springfield, IL  62761
    217-782-4977
  • Illinois Department of Public Health Chicago Headquarters Offices     122 S. Michigan Ave., 7th and 20th Floors
    Chicago, IL  60603
    312-814-2793
                                                                                                                                                               69 W. Washington St., 35th Floor
    Chicago, IL 60602
    312-814-5278
  • Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) Medical BenefitsIllinois Department of Human Services
    [Apply on their website | 2701 W Lake St., Melrose Park, IL 60160]
  • Loyola School-Based Health Center@ Proviso East High School
    [To schedule an appointment, call (708) 852-3094 or go to Room 86B at Proviso East High School]