The American Heart Association's Go Red for Women movement launched American Heart Month with the Red Dress Collection Concert on January 29 in New York City, featuring actress Laura Linney as host alongside musical performers Nicole Scherzinger and Amy Grant. The event, held at the Appel Room at Jazz at Lincoln Center, serves as the national marquee event for the movement, which aims to unite women against heart disease, their number one killer. According to the association, more than 4 in 10 women in the U.S. have some form of cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke, with this figure expected to grow.
Laura Linney opened the show by highlighting the complexities of heart health and its impact on families and caregivers, advocating to make women's heart health more visible, understandable, and personal. The concert builds on the two-decade tradition of the Red Dress Collection fashion show, originally founded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's The Heart Truth program, by incorporating musical performances and personal stories from those affected by cardiovascular disease.
Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Amy Grant performed several songs, including "Baby Baby" and "Every Heartbeat," before receiving the Woman Changing the World award from American Heart Association Chief Executive Officer Nancy Brown. Grant, who was born with a congenital heart defect and underwent open heart surgery in 2020, has become a prominent advocate for heart health, using her platform to educate millions about risk and prevention through public service announcements and national campaigns. Her advocacy work is part of broader efforts to address the staggering statistics surrounding women's heart health.
The concert was headlined by Grammy-nominated, Tony Award-winning performer Nicole Scherzinger, who delivered a set featuring Broadway hits and popular songs. True to its fashion origins, the event featured a runway show where celebrities walked in red ensembles designed by prominent fashion talents. Participants included Uzo Aduba, Chlöe Bailey, Selma Blair, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Normani, and Jane Seymour, among others, wearing designs from various fashion houses.
CVS Health serves as a proud national sponsor of the Go Red for Women movement, having directed more than $50 million over the past decade to advance women's cardiovascular health, strengthen blood pressure management, and support lifesaving research and education. The concert also received support from Chase. The American Heart Association provides resources for women's heart health at every age and stage of life through GoRedforWomen.org and information about National Wear Red Day at WearRedDay.org.
This high-profile event underscores the critical need for continued awareness and action against cardiovascular disease in women. With cardiovascular disease claiming the lives of 1 in 3 women and the majority of cardiac events being preventable, initiatives like the Go Red for Women movement play a vital role in driving behavioral change and funding essential research. The involvement of celebrities and corporate partners amplifies the message, potentially reaching broader audiences and encouraging more women to prioritize their heart health through regular check-ups, lifestyle modifications, and education.
