HCR 20-AMERICAN HEART MONTH  1:48:24 PM CHAIR DAVIS said that the next bill before the committee would be HCR 20. BECKY ROONEY, staff, Representative Peggy Wilson, introduced HCR 20 on behalf of the sponsor. She read from the following sponsor statement: HCR 20 raises awareness of the nation's leading cause of death: cardiovascular disease. This unfortunate disease causes an average of one American death every 39 seconds or nearly 2,200 deaths each day. It is the costliest disease in the nation, with direct and indirect costs estimated to be $297,700,000 a year. The American Heart Association's 2020 impact goal seeks to improve cardiovascular health of all Americans by 20 percent while reducing deaths from cardiovascular disease and stroke by 20 percent through research, population-level and community-level interventions, and public health and policy measures The passage of this resolution would join Alaska and the American Heart Association in raising awareness of this disease by celebrating February 2012 as "American Heart Month" and promoting education and awareness by encouraging citizens to learn the warning signs of heart attack and stroke. 1:51:26 PM DR. BOB URATA, Family Physician, Juneau, Alaska, testified in support of HCR 20. He pointed out that it is clear that heart disease and stroke are major causes of death and disability in the United States, and yet they are diseases that can be prevented. Avoiding key risk factors and treating those that are abnormal, are important to reducing these deaths and disabilities. According to the National Institute of Health, 1.6 million lives have been saved since 1977, and there is an estimate that the 44 percent decrease in heart disease deaths was a result of prevention through the reduction of risk factors. He shared information about a new threat - obesity - and a study about the lack of knowledge about the disease. He said that 27 percent of Alaskan high school students are overweight or obese. Obesity leads to an increase in high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease. In addition, a 2005 study reveals that only 27 percent of respondents knew the signs of heart attacks and would call 911 first if someone was having a heart attack or a stroke. He stressed that increasing awareness of risk factors and emergency care are the first steps toward reducing the risk of death and disability from cardiovascular disease. He concluded that HCR 20 is an important step in that direction. SENATOR MEYER asked how Alaska compares to other states regarding heart attacks. DR. URATA said that Alaska does better than most states because it has a relatively young population. Heart attacks are the second highest cause of death after cancer. SENATOR DYSON voiced appreciation for Dr. Urata's efforts. He wondered if eating a lot of fish helps prevent heart disease. DR. URATA said that some studies have come to that conclusion. He suggested eating fish for the Omega 3 oils. 1:56:04 PM SENATOR MEYER moved to report HCR 20 from committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying zero fiscal note. There being no objection, HCR 20 moved from the Senate Health and Social Services Standing Committee.