Pump up your heart health campaigns with actionable insights

Pump up your heart health campaigns with actionable insights

Heart disease has been the leading cause of death in the U.S. for over 100 years. However, only 49% of people who responded to a survey by the American Heart Association got it right. As disappointing as that is, here’s something really troubling. Almost 47% of adults in the U.S. have high blood pressure, and 38% of them don’t know it. That sounds like something healthcare marketers can help with.

As a healthcare marketer, your role is pivotal. You’re the interface between crucial health information and the people who need it most. When you focus on heart health awareness, you’re not just sharing statistics, you’re potentially saving lives.

Any time is a good time to raise awareness about heart heath, especially since the biggest risk factors are preventable. But American Heart Month is a great time to launch a campaign that can help change the world, starting with your community. This is a huge challenge, but together we can help people develop healthier habits that last a lifetime if we use the right approach. Here are some tips for promoting heart health awareness, leveraging community health initiatives, and spreading your message.

Actionable strategies to promote heart health awareness

Even when people want to make healthier choices, they don’t always know where to start. Making healthier food choices. Adding time for physical activity into already packed schedules. Managing stress successfully. Getting to, and keeping, a healthy weight. These are learned behaviors, and you can help people master them.  Here’s how.

1. Use relatable, human stories.

Numbers are important, but people connect more easily with stories than with statistics. Look for a variety of stories that reflect people in different stages of life and health who are all committed to living heart-healthier lives.

2. Partner with local organizations.

Think about teaming up with nearby fitness facilities, schools or gyms to organize heart health activities. The goal is not just to get people talking about heart health, but to also motivate them to do something about it with fun fitness challenges and onsite screenings.

3. Maximize social media’s potential.

It’s easy to find health information on social media, so why not grab an opportunity to add some high-quality content to the mix. Get people’s attention with informative content that’s fun to engage with, like infographics, interactive polls, and short videos.

4. Emphasize early detection.

Heart disease affects people of all ages, shapes, and sizes. Known as the silent killer, there may not be symptoms until it’s too late. So prevention and early detection can make a big difference. Stress that screening for heart issues is a crucial part of avoiding future health issues.

5. Tailor your messaging to different audiences.

It’s never too early to start building heart-healthy habits. Eating a healthy diet, being physically active, and managing stress are important for everyone. But if you’re targeting a specific audience, focus on what’s important to them.  

6. Leverage public resources.

Many public entities have toolkits you can use as part of your campaigns. Check out this Heart Health Month Toolkit from the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council as an example. It’s packed with print ready materials, social media graphics and digital ads that emphasize the heart healthy benefits of blueberries—perfect for bolstering your heart health messaging.

7. Maximize your impact with health risk assessments (HRA) and SEM strategies.

Combining HRAs and SEM techniques is magic! You can target people who are actively looking for information about heart health. HRAs, like the Unlock Health Heart Risk Assessment, help people understand their risks and what actions they can take to improve their health. This powerful combination helps activate patient engagement and drive revenue growth through personalized care recommendations.

Get to the heart of the matter

While heart month is a natural time to raise awareness, the impact of campaigns will last long after the end of the month. In the end, it’s not the numbers that matter. It’s the lives we change and the hearts we protect.

Want to learn more about implementing these strategies or adding a Heart Health Risk Assessment to your campaign? Contact us today to discover how we can help you make a bigger impact this Heart Health Awareness Month.

Stay ahead of the curve on health awareness months

You’ll never miss a health awareness month when you download our free calendar. It can help you keep track of upcoming observances, and it highlights corresponding HRAs that can amplify your campaigns.