Devoted to small businesses and those who run them

February 1st marks National Wear Red Day and the start of National Heart Month in the U.S.

The purpose is to focus awareness on women and heart disease. The Seattle Times reports

A number of Seattle landmarks — including the Space Needle, the Pacific Science Center's arches, Qwest Field and the downtown Westin Hotel — will be glowing red, starting today.

This is a great way to draw attention to National Wear Red Day and to raise awareness for heart health. Small business owners can also support the initiative by wearing a ribbon or a pin as a non intrusive way of making a statement.

I would go a step further, and suggest these color awareness campaigns be more inclusive. Heart disease, like breast cancer, affects men as well as women. Also, how much more powerful would it be if it was a global rather than national inititiative?

Different countries have their own awareness raising days. With the power of the internet and global media, perhaps this could be co-ordinated.

Having an International Wear Red Day or an International Heart Health Awareness Month at the same time, throughout the world could really shine a global spotlight on the cause. 

• What are your thoughts about the effectiveness of color awareness campaigns?