NCAA Women's Basketball Coaches Launch Collective to Combat Leading Killer of Women

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death for women in the United States, claiming more than 440,000 lives each year according to the American Heart Association. In response to this critical health threat, 19 NCAA women's college basketball coaches have united to form the Hearts on the Court Collective, an initiative aimed at raising awareness and empowering women to take control of their heart health.

The collective, led by Louisiana State University hall of fame head coach Kim Mulkey, represents the first time such a large group of women's basketball coaches has joined forces to address cardiovascular health. Their collaboration with the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women movement seeks to bridge significant gaps in women's cardiovascular care and education.

Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association, highlighted the urgent need for this initiative, noting that women are often misdiagnosed and undertreated for cardiovascular conditions. "From low representation of women in clinical research to women being less likely to receive lifesaving bystander CPR, major gaps exist," Brown said. "These influential women's NCAA basketball coaches joining the new Hearts on the Court Collective are helping us to amplify this message with so many more people through their dedication to the women they coach and mentor."

Throughout the women's college basketball season, the collective will launch public service announcements highlighting Life's Essential 8™ for Women, which includes knowing key health numbers like blood pressure and cholesterol, embracing healthy eating, increasing physical activity, abstaining from tobacco use, and getting quality sleep. The initiative will also emphasize how unique life stages such as pregnancy and menopause can affect cardiovascular disease risk.

Coach Mulkey emphasized the personal motivation behind the collective's formation. "We all have women in our lives we can't bear to live without - our mothers, our sisters, our daughters, our friends. Women need allies in the fight against a disease that takes so much from them," Mulkey stated. "By coming together to highlight the ways that heart disease can be prevented, we are working to champion women's health and empower the next generation of female athletes and those they love to take charge of their well-being."

The timing of this initiative is particularly crucial given current statistics. Cardiovascular disease claims more lives than all forms of cancer combined, and approximately 80% of heart attacks and strokes are preventable. Despite nearly 45% of women over age 20 living with some form of cardiovascular disease, only about half of women recognize it as their greatest health threat.

The inaugural members of the Hearts on the Court Collective include head coaches from prominent NCAA programs across the country, including Katie Abrahamson-Henderson from University of Georgia, Courtney Banghart from UNC, Jennie Baranczyk from University of Oklahoma, and several other leading coaches from major universities. Their collective reach and influence position them to make significant impact in changing women's understanding of cardiovascular health risks and prevention strategies.