Focus on First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden's Joining Forces

DALLAS, April 12, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Wellness, along with employment and education, has been highlighted as an area of special interest among America's military families in Joining Forces, a national initiative created by First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden. The American Heart Association is proud to contribute to the goals of this program, whereby all sectors of society will assist veterans and military wives by providing the opportunities, resources and support necessary to strengthen American military families.

Through its Go Red For Women® activities, the American Heart Association will provide military wives and women veterans with guidance and support to help live healthier lives and reduce incidents of heart disease – the No. 1 killer of women in the United States. In addition, the American Heart Association will equip military wives and female veterans with CPR resources and tools to help save their loved ones in a cardiac emergency. Go Red will also build awareness of military family and women veterans' issues amongst their more than one million strong members, volunteers, and registrants across the United States.

From citizens and communities to business and nonprofits, Joining Forces provides a way for all Americans to show their support of this country's service members and their families. Mrs. Obama and Dr. Biden are highlighting outstanding American citizens, communities, and businesses that are supporting our troops and making commitments to serve our nation's military families. They are asking Americans and organizations like the American Heart Association to get involved in any way they can. To learn more about this initiative and how to support military families, visit www.joiningforces.gov.

About the American Heart Association  

The American Heart Association is devoted to saving people from heart disease and stroke – America's No. 1 and No. 3 killers. We team with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies, and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat these diseases. The Dallas-based association is the nation's oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. To learn more or join us, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or any of our offices around the country, or visit heart.org.

SOURCE American Heart Association