VOA常速英语2008年-President Bush Declares February American Heart

By VOA News
01 February 2008
 
President Bush has declared February American Heart Month to raise awareness¹ of the impact of cardiovascular disease and encourage citizens to take steps to help prevent it.

In a presidential proclamation signed Friday, Mr. Bush said heart disease is the number one killer² of both men and women in the United States. He urged Americans to work toward decreasing their chances of developing the disease by exercising, following a nutritious³ diet and monitoring high cholesterol⁴.

In a rare turn, first lady Laura Bush is delivering the weekly presidential radio address Saturday, asking Americans to begin heart-healthy habits. She said it is important citizens learn about the risk factors for the disease, including smoking, lack of exercise, diabetes⁵ and high blood pressure.

Mrs. Bush said heart disease affects more than 80 million people in the United States and is the leading cause of death among American women.

1 awareness   

n.意识，觉悟，懂事，明智

参考例句：

• There is a general awareness that smoking is harmful.人们普遍认识到吸烟有害健康。
• Environmental awareness has increased over the years.这些年来人们的环境意识增强了。

2 killer   

n.杀人者，杀人犯，杀手，屠杀者

参考例句：

• Heart attacks have become Britain's No.1 killer disease.心脏病已成为英国的头号致命疾病。
• The bulk of the evidence points to him as her killer.大量证据证明是他杀死她的。

3 nutritious   

adj.有营养的，营养价值高的

参考例句：

• Fresh vegetables are very nutritious.新鲜蔬菜富于营养。
• Hummingbirds have discovered that nectar and pollen are very nutritious.蜂鸟发现花蜜和花粉是很有营养的。

4 cholesterol   

n.（U）胆固醇

参考例句：

• There is cholesterol in the cell of body.人体细胞里有胆固醇。
• They are determining the serum-protein and cholesterol levels.他们正在测定血清蛋白和胆固醇的浓度。

5 diabetes   

n.糖尿病

参考例句：

• In case of diabetes, physicians advise against the use of sugar.对于糖尿病患者，医生告诫他们不要吃糖。
• Diabetes is caused by a fault in the insulin production of the body.糖尿病是由体內胰岛素分泌失调引起的。