Laura Bush

“ February is American Heart Month -- a time to start heart-healthy habits, and to learn about the risk factors for heart disease. These risk factors include smoking, being overweight, lack of exercise, diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol, family history, and age. Heart disease affects more than 80 million people in the United States and claims the life of one American every minute. ”

“ Afghan women know, through hard experience, what the rest of the world is discovering: The brutal oppression of women is a central goal of the terrorists. Long before the current war began, the Taliban and its terrorist allies were making the lives of children and women in Afghanistan miserable. Seventy percent of the Afghan people are malnourished. One in every four children won't live past the age of five because health care is not available. Women have been denied access to doctors when they're sick. ”

“ Fighting brutality against women and children is not the expression of a specific culture; it is the acceptance of our common humanity -- a commitment shared by people of good will on every continent. Because of our recent military gains in much of Afghanistan, women are no longer imprisoned in their homes. ”

“ Women are taking heart disease more seriously. So are their doctors. And every year from 2000 to 2005, heart disease deaths among women decreased.
This is good progress, but we still want more people to know the Heart Truth. Too many women, especially African-American women, die of heart disease. More than 80 percent of middle-aged women have at least one risk factor and many of them don't know it.
Last year, as part of my work to tell the Heart Truth, I went on the Rachael Ray show, where I described the symptoms of heart attacks in women. ”

“ Bush, "This American Heart Month, all of us can be Heart Truth ambassadors. Start by protecting your own heart, and spread the word to others. February is a month known for Valentines. This February, encourage your loved ones to take care of their health. ”

“ And we will be especially thankful for all the blessings of American life. I hope Americans will join our family in working to insure that dignity and opportunity will be secured for all the women and children of Afghanistan. ”

“ They can listen to music and teach their daughters without fear of punishment. Yet the terrorists who helped rule that country now plot and plan in many countries. And they must be stopped. The fight against terrorism is also a fight for the rights and dignity of women. ”