Follow the Fifty: Models of Heart Health is an energetic and empowering women’s heart health initiative that was funded through The Heart Truth® Community Action Program, a women’s heart health awareness and action campaign that warns women about heart disease and provides tools to help them take action against its risk factors. Originally designed to recruit fifty women from northeastern Connecti
cut to serve as models of heart health, the initiative was expanded due to the overwhelming response to the model recruitment campaign. 177 women have been selected to lead others in Connecticut's "Quiet Corner" on a remarkable journey of heart health. The Northeast District Department of Health (NDDH) is partnering with HealthQuest Northeast CT coalition partners to sponsor monthly events. Schedules are still being determined and will be posted on www.followthefifty.org as details develop. A wildly successful campaign kick-off for all models was held on March 31st. The Follow the Fifty models will need on-going support and encouragement! There are plenty of supporting roles for women and men as coaches, cheerleaders, mentors, and community sponsors. This support system will be responsible for providing the model with general support and encouragement – perhaps joining the model for a regular walk or other physical activity; placing a mid-day call with a reminder to hit the gym or fitness center; be a lifeline during challenging times; post videos and pictures to celebrate successes; encouraging healthy food choices and perhaps wrestling a chocolate bar away when needed. The focus of Follow the Fifty is not on visual outcomes, it’s more about the importance of lowering the risk factors that are impacting your health on the inside. The emphasis here is on being a successful ‘role’ model rather than a ‘runway’ model!”
