I'm not sure if it's their maternal instincts, but women are wonderful caretakers. Many of the women I know - and I grew up in a house full - are so hardworking and nurturing of those around them that they often over look their care. This week I am asking all women to take the time to care for themselves.

I'm asking you to reach out to women in your family, your girl friends and female co-workers and encourage them to take 15 critical minutes to get free screenings at the Miami Women's Heart Health Fair this Friday, March 6, at the James L. Knight Center, 400 SE 2nd Avenue in Downtown Miami, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Heart disease is the number one cause of death among women. One woman dies of heart disease each minute of every day. Heart disease kills one out of three American women. It's an alarming statistic but heart attacks kill six times as many women as breast cancer. The good news is women can lower their risk of heart disease by as much as 82 percent by making simple lifestyle changes such as eating smarter, exercising and not smoking.

That's why the County is a proud supporter of the Women's Heart Health Fair. The annual event, presented by Sister to Sister Foundation and South Miami Heart Center, will feature screening and important information on cholesterol, triglycerides, blood glucose levels, blood pressure, BMI (body mass index), and waist circumference, which are all related to heart health. Experts will be on hand to discuss how family health history affects women and give engaging presentations on medical, nutritional, fitness and lifestyle topics in English, Spanish and Creole. More than 50 exhibitors, raffles and giveaways add to the fun.

Visit the Sister to Sister Foundation website or more information. Thank you helping me to get the word out to the wonderful women of Miami-Dade County.

Sincerely,

Mayor Carlos Alvarez