American Heart Association Inc

THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION IS A NATIONAL VOLUNTARY HEALTH AGENCY FOCUSED ON ACTIVITIES RELATED TO THE CAUSES, DIAGNOSIS, PREVENTION, AND TREATMENT OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE, STROKE, AND OTHER RELATED DISEASES.

PUBLIC/CONSUMER EDUCATION INFORMING ALL AMERICANS ABOUT WAYS TO REDUCE THEIR RISK OF HEART DISEASE AND STROKE IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT OBJECTIVES OF THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION. IN 2021-22, THE ASSOCIATION'S PUBLIC EDUCATION EFFORTS PROVIDED MILLIONS OF PEOPLE IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH. PROGRAMS LIKE GO RED FOR WOMEN HELP US REACH SPECIFIC AUDIENCES WITH IMPORTANT HEALTH MESSAGES. PUBLIC/CONSUMER EDUCATION CONTINUED - NOW IN ITS THIRD YEAR, RESEARCH GOES RED IS A COLLABORATION OF THE ASSOCIATION'S GO RED FOR WOMEN MOVEMENT AND VERILY'S PROJECT BASELINE TO ENGAGE MORE WOMEN IN RESEARCH. PARTICIPATION IS UP 32% FROM LAST YEAR, WITH JUST OVER 19,000 WOMEN CONSENTING TO ENGAGE IN RESEARCH THROUGH SURVEYS AND STUDIES. - DESPITE THE SUCCESS OF RESEARCH GOES RED, WOMEN REPRESENT LESS THAN 40% OF RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS OVERALL. THAT MEANS THEY ARE UNDER-STUDIED, UNDER-TREATED, UNDER-DIAGNOSED AND UNDER-REPRESENTED. ASSOCIATION CEO NANCY BROWN JOINED OTHER LEADING VOICES IN WOMEN'S HEART HEALTH FOR A WOMEN'S HEALTH ACCESS MATTERS (WHAM) PANEL ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE. - A MULTIMARKET MEDIA TOUR TOUTED "SOCIETAL IMPACT OF RESEARCH FUNDING FOR WOMEN'S HEALTH IN CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE," A WHAM REPORT ON THE HEALTH AND ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF WOMEN'S RESEARCH. - IN AN EPISODE OF "CONNECT WITH THE CEO," LEADERS IN CARDIOVASCULAR SCIENCE AND MEDICINE SHARED SMALL STEPS THAT CAN MAKE A BIG IMPACT ON HEART HEALTH AND MENTAL WELL-BEING, AS WELL AS CONVERSATIONS EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE WITH THEIR DOCTOR. ASSOCIATION LEADERS GUIDING THE DISCUSSION WERE DR. DONALD LLOYD-JONES, 2021-22 VOLUNTEER NATIONAL PRESIDENT; DR. MARY ANN BAUMAN, VOLUNTEER NATIONAL BOARD MEMBER AND WESTERN STATES BOARD PRESIDENT; DR. ANN MARIE NAVAR, DOCTORS WITH HEART VOLUNTEER LEAD; AND DR. MAYA VADIVELOO, CO-AUTHOR OF THE 2021 DIETARY GUIDANCE TO IMPROVE CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH. - MOVING MORE SUPPORTS HEART HEALTH, BUILDS STRONGER BONES AND MUSCLES, AND BOOST BRAIN PERFORMANCE. THIS WAS THE CORE MESSAGE OF "SUPER BOWL BRAIN BREAK," WHICH WRAPPED UP THE 15TH SEASON OF NFL PLAY 60 - A COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE ASSOCIATION AND THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE TO ENCOURAGE KIDS TO GET AT LEAST 60 MINUTES OF DAILY PHYSICAL ACTIVITY. - DURING NATIONAL HEART MONTH, OBSERVED ANNUALLY IN FEBRUARY, THE ASSOCIATION'S RECLAIM YOUR RHYTHM CAMPAIGN AIMED TO INSPIRE EVERYONE TO TAKE AT LEAST ONE STEP TO SUPPORT THEIR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING. THE ASSOCIATION ALSO COLLABORATED WITH PANDORA TO TAKE OVER ITS DANCE CARDIO RADIO WITH SPECIALLY CURATED TRACKS ALL MONTH. - TO CELEBRATE 20 YEARS, GO RED TRANSFORMED ITS ICONIC RED DRESS COLLECTION EVENT INTO THE RED DRESS COLLECTION CONCERT - AN IMMERSIVE DIGITAL EXPERIENCE - WITH CELEBRITY PERFORMANCES. - ON THE HEELS OF WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY, OBSERVED OCTOBER 10, THE ASSOCIATION KICKED OFF IT'S MY TIME - A YEAR-ROUND CAMPAIGN TO HELP INDIVIDUALS, COMMUNITIES AND WORKPLACES REDUCE CHRONIC STRESS FOR BETTER WELL-BEING WITH RESOURCES AVAILABLE AT HEART.ORG/STRESS.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION FUNDS SCIENTIFIC STUDIES SEEKING NEW DISCOVERIES RELATED TO CAUSES, PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF CARDIOVASCULAR AND CEREBROVASCULAR DISEASES. SINCE OUR FOUNDING IN 1924, WE'VE INVESTED MORE THAN $5 BILLION IN RESEARCH, MAKING US THE LARGEST PRIVATE, NOT-FOR-PROFIT FUNDER OF CARDIOVASCULAR AND CEREBROVASCULAR RESEARCH. RESEARCH SPENDING FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021-22 WAS $166 MILLION, OR 18% OF TOTAL SPENDING FOR PROGRAMS AND SUPPORT SERVICES. RESEARCH AWARDS FOR THE YEAR TOTALED $145.5 MILLION. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CONTINUED - THE ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCED THE FIRST FIVE GRANTEES AT 11 INSTITUTIONS IN ITS $20 MILLION STRATEGICALLY FOCUSED RESEARCH NETWORK (SFRN) ON THE SCIENCE OF DIVERSITY IN CLINICAL TRIALS, ESTABLISHED WITH SUPPORT FROM PFIZER AND GATES VENTURES. RESEARCHERS STRATEGIZE WAYS TO INCREASE DIVERSITY IN THEIR PROJECTS AND DEMONSTRATE HOW THE RESULTS CAN BE BROADLY APPLIED IN OTHER RESEARCH SETTINGS. - UNRAVELING COVID'S CARDIOVASCULAR CONNECTIONS IS THE GOAL OF THE GRANT INITIATIVE, "MECHANISMS UNDERLYING CARDIOVASCULAR CONSEQUENCES ASSOCIATED WITH COVID-19 AND LONG COVID," WITH MORE THAN $10.6 MILLION AWARDED TO 11 RESEARCH TEAMS. - INCREASING HEART FAILURE PATIENTS' HEALTHY TIME AT HOME AND REDUCING DEATHS BY 5% IS THE AIM OF IMPLEMENT-HF - AN ASSOCIATION INITIATIVE WITH $15 MILLION IN JOINT FUNDING FROM FOUNDING SPONSOR, NOVARTIS PHARMACEUTICALS CORPORATION, AND NATIONAL SPONSOR, BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM AND ELI LILLY & COMPANY. COMPONENTS INCLUDE DATA COLLECTION, A CARE TEAM LEARNING SYSTEM AND A PATIENT APP. - A NEW HEARTSAVER VIRTUAL TRAINING KIT AND FEEDBACK TECHNOLOGY MAKE IT EASIER FOR THE ASSOCIATION TO PROVIDE 100% REMOTE INSTRUCTION FOR WORKPLACES, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS IN FIRST AID, CPR AND USE OF AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATORS. STUDENTS TAKE THE ONLINE COURSE, COMPLETE A HANDS-ON SKILLS PRACTICE SESSION VIRTUALLY AND RECEIVE FEEDBACK THROUGH A WEB-BASED APP. - THE PERIODIC TABLE OF FOOD INITIATIVE, LAUNCHED DURING THE WORLD HEALTH ASSEMBLY, IS DEEPENING KNOWLEDGE ABOUT FOOD COMPOSITION TO IMPROVE BOTH HUMAN AND PLANETARY HEALTH. THE ASSOCIATION, THE ALLIANCE OF BIOVERSITY AND INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR TROPICAL AGRICULTURE (CIAT) ARE FACILITATING THE INITIATIVE WITH FUNDING BY THE ROCKEFELLER FOUNDATION AND ITS PUBLIC CHARITY RF CATALYTIC CAPITAL INC., THE FOUNDATION FOR FOOD & AGRICULTURE RESEARCH AND THE SEERAVE FOUNDATION. - TELEHEALTH USE REACHED HISTORIC HIGHS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND, AS THE SECTOR EVOLVES, ENSURING HIGH STANDARDS AND EQUITABLE ACCESS IS VITAL. THANKS TO A $1.3 MILLION GRANT FROM THE LEONA M. AND HARRY B. HELMSLEY CHARITABLE TRUST, THE ASSOCIATION ACQUIRED THE AMERICAN BOARD OF TELEHEALTH BRAND TO EXPAND TRAINING AND IMPROVE QUALITY. COURSES WILL BE OFFERED VIA THE ASSOCIATION'S PROFESSIONAL LEARNING ACADEMY AND INCLUDE CERTIFICATION OPPORTUNITIES. - TO BETTER UNDERSTAND, DIAGNOSE AND TREAT CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE, THE ASSOCIATION AND CHILDREN'S HEART FOUNDATION ANNOUNCED THE NINTH ROUND OF CONGENITAL HEART DEFECT RESEARCH AWARDS. THIS INITIATIVE FUNDS RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP AWARDS TO TRAIN THE NEXT GENERATION OF SCIENTISTS IN BASIC AND CLINICAL STUDIES RELATED TO CONGENITAL HEART DEFECTS.

PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION RESEARCH, ADVANCES IN MEDICINE, AND GUIDELINES FOR BEST PRACTICE ARE MOST USEFUL WHEN MADE AVAILABLE TO SCIENTISTS AND HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS. THE AHA HOSTED MORE THAN A DOZEN SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCES INCLUDING SCIENTIFIC SESSIONS AND THE INTERNATIONAL STROKE CONFERENCE, AS WELL AS MEETINGS FOCUSED ON SPECIALTY AREAS. EACH OFFERED CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION (CME) CREDITS, WHICH ARE ALSO AVAILABLE THROUGH AHA ONLINE LEARNING PROGRAMS. PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION CONTINUED - THE SAME RISK FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO MAKING HEART DISEASE THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH WORLDWIDE, ALSO IMPACT THE RISING GLOBAL PREVALENCE OF BRAIN DISEASE, INCLUDING STROKE, ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND DEMENTIA, ACCORDING TO THE ASSOCIATION'S HEART DISEASE AND STROKE STATISTICS - 2022 UPDATE. THE REPORT REVEALS THE GLOBAL RATE OF DEATHS ATTRIBUTED TO ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND OTHER DEMENTIA IN THE PAST 10 YEARS (44%) IS MORE THAN DOUBLE THE INCREASE IN THE RATE OF DEATHS FROM HEART DISEASE (21%) DURING THAT SAME TIME. - WITH FUNDING FROM NOVARTIS, THE ASSOCIATION LAUNCHED AN IMPLEMENTATION SCIENCE PROGRAM IN MEXICO FOCUSED ON IMPROVING CARE FOR PATIENTS WITH ATHEROSCLEROSIS. THE INITIATIVE TEACHES THE CORRECT APPLICATION OF QUALITY IMPROVEMENT STRATEGIES, PROVIDES HOSPITAL CONSULTATION AND DATA REVIEW AND GENERATES EVIDENCE THAT HELPS TO HIGHLIGHT THE SUCCESSES AND CHALLENGES IN CARDIOVASCULAR CARE. - BECAUSE PEOPLE WHO HAVE CORONARY ARTERY REVASCULARIZATION EXPERIENCE SIMILAR OUTCOMES REGARDLESS OF GENDER OR RACE, A JOINT GUIDELINE FROM THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF CARDIOLOGY AND THE ASSOCIATION, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE SOCIETY FOR CARDIOVASCULAR ANGIOGRAPHY AND INTERVENTIONS, RECOMMENDS TREATMENT BASED ON CLINICAL INDICATIONS AND A TEAM APPROACH TO CARE THAT INCLUDES THE PATIENT. - THE ASSOCIATION AND 24 ORGANIZATIONS UNVEILED THE PERIPHERAL ARTERY DISEASE (PAD) NATIONAL ACTION PLAN TO ASSIST IN PREVENTING PAD COMPLICATIONS, ADDRESSING CARDIOVASCULAR RISK AND IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THOSE LIVING WITH THE DISEASE. THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN IS AVAILABLE AT HTTPS://WWW.HEART.ORG/EN/HEALTH-TOPICS/PERIPHERAL-ARTERY-DISEASE/PAD-RESOURCES/PAD-ACTION-PLAN. - WITH ISCHEMIC HEART DISEASE THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, THE ASSOCIATION AND THE EMIRATES CARDIAC SOCIETY INTRODUCED CHEST PAIN CENTER CERTIFICATION TO ENSURE GUIDELINE-DIRECTED CARE FOR PATIENTS WITH ACUTE STEMI HEART ATTACKS. CERTIFIED CHEST PAIN CENTERS RECEIVE EDUCATION FOR HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS, PATIENTS, CAREGIVERS AND THE COMMUNITY, IN ADDITION TO RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES. - THE ASSOCIATION INTRODUCED HEALTHY SENIOR LIVING CERTIFICATION TO PROMOTE A CULTURE OF HEALTH AT SENIOR LIVING FACILITIES AND BOOST CONSUMER CONFIDENCE IN QUALITY OF CARE. FACILITIES ARE EVALUATED ON HOW THEY EDUCATE RESIDENTS AND PROVIDE FOR IMPROVED HEALTH IN EIGHT CATEGORIES: SMOKING STATUS, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, HEALTHY DIET AND WEIGHT, DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY, SLEEP, STRESS MANAGEMENT, ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION AND IMMUNIZATIONS. - FOR THE FIRST TIME, CLINICIANS HAVE GUIDANCE TO HELP DETERMINE WHETHER CHEST PAIN IS CARDIAC IN ORIGIN, FIGURE OUT WHICH TESTS ARE APPROPRIATE AND DETERMINE THE BEST COURSE OF CARE. THE ASSOCIATION'S 2021 GUIDELINE FOR THE EVALUATION AND DIAGNOSIS OF CHEST PAIN INCLUDES ALGORITHMS THAT WALK CLINICIANS FROM FIRST PATIENT INTERACTION TO FINAL DISPOSITION. - TO PROMOTE OPTIMAL CARE FOR PATIENTS EXPERIENCING THE DEADLIEST TYPE OF HEART ATTACKS, THE ASSOCIATION AND THE JOINT COMMISSION ANNOUNCED THE COMPREHENSIVE HEART ATTACK CENTER (CHAC) CERTIFICATION PROGRAM. HOSPITALS CAN NOW BE CHAC-CERTIFIED FOR MEETING STANDARDS DENOTING THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF CARE FOR PATIENTS WITH ACUTE CORONARY SYNDROME. - THE ASSOCIATION COLLABORATED WITH THE AHA CEO ROUNDTABLE TO LAUNCH DRIVING HEALTH EQUITY IN THE WORKPLACE - A ROADMAP FOR EMPLOYERS. COMPLETE WITH ACTIONABLE STRATEGIES, RELATED TOOLS, EMPLOYEE PERSPECTIVES AND SAMPLE POLICIES, THE SITE PROVIDES BEST PRACTICES FOR DISMANTLING STRUCTURAL BARRIERS TO HEALTH EQUITY.

COMMUNITY SERVICES: - THE ASSOCIATION CONTINUED INVESTING IN ITS SOCIAL IMPACT FUND AND BERNARD J. TYSON IMPACT FUND TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY-LED SOLUTIONS TO HEALTH INEQUITY. GRANTS AID LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS WORKING TO INCREASE ACCESS TO NUTRITION, HOUSING, MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH CARE, EDUCATION AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY. NOTABLY, FOUR ORGANIZATIONS IN GREATER WASHINGTON RECEIVED $800,000 FROM THE BERNARD J. TYSON IMPACT FUND, THANKS TO CONTRIBUTIONS FROM JOHN R. HOUSTON III (POSTHUMOUS), THE EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP COUNCIL, LINDA GOODEN & LAIRD LOTT AND JPMORGAN CHASE. - A THREE-YEAR, MULTIMILLION-DOLLAR PUBLIC HEALTH AMERICORPS GRANT TO THE ASSOCIATION WILL AID EFFORTS TO IMPROVE CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH IN RURAL COMMUNITIES THROUGH A WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE CONNECTING RURAL CLINICS AND HEALTH SYSTEMS, PUBLIC HEALTH PROFESSIONALS AND COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS WITH THE ASSOCIATION'S LEADERSHIP AND RESOURCES. - HISPANIC/LATINO PEOPLE MAKE UP 19% OF THE U.S. POPULATION BUT COMPRISE LESS THAN 7% OF THE HEALTH CARE PROVIDER WORKFORCE, AND HALF AGES 20 AND OLDER HAVE SOME FORM OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE. THOSE REALITIES GAVE RISE TO THE NATIONAL HISPANIC LATINO CARDIOVASCULAR COLLABORATIVE - FOUNDED BY THE ASSOCIATION TO PROMOTE THE TREATMENT AND PREVENTION OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES AND STROKE IN THE HISPANIC/LATINO COMMUNITY BY REDUCING AND ELIMINATING HEALTH DISPARITIES THAT PREVENT PEOPLE FROM LIVING A FULL, OPTIMAL LIFE. - NUMEROUS COMMUNITIES AND HEALTH ORGANIZATIONS BEGAN SELF-MONITORING BLOOD PRESSURE PROGRAMS BASED ON THE ASSOCIATION'S CHECK. CHANGE. CONTROL. CURRICULUM. AMONG THEM WAS THE QAWALANGIN TRIBE OF UNALASKA, RESPONDING TO A 10% RISE IN HYPERTENSION DIAGNOSES AMONG MEMBERS SINCE 1991. THEY CAN NOW MEASURE THEIR OWN BLOOD PRESSURE AT STATIONS SET UP IN THE LOCAL LIBRARY, RECREATION CENTERS, TRIBAL HEADQUARTERS AND OTHER LOCATIONS. PUBLIC ADVOCACY - THE FEDERAL HEALTH SPENDING BUDGET GOT A MAJOR FUNDING BOOST WITH LEGISLATION THAT INCLUDES $2.75 BILLION TO THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH TO ESTABLISH THE ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY FOR HEALTH, $1 MILLION IN NEW SUPPORT FOR CONGENITAL HEART DEFECT PROGRAMS, AND MILLIONS MORE FOR CARDIOVASCULAR EDUCATION, SCREENING AND EVALUATION PROGRAMS. - CONGRESS PASSED THE BIPARTISAN NO SURPRISES ACT TO PROTECT PATIENTS FROM SURPRISE MEDICAL BILLS AND PAYMENT DISPUTES BETWEEN HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS AND INSURANCE COMPANIES. THE U.S. DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AND THE TREASURY RELEASED FINAL RULES FOR IMPLEMENTATION ON AUGUST 19, 2022 SOLIDIFYING THE LAW'S SAFEGUARDS. - ACCESS TO QUALITY HEALTH CARE WAS EXTENDED TO NEW FAMILIES VIA POSTPARTUM MEDICAID EXTENSION IN 38 STATES AND COMMUNITIES. - IN SUMMER 2022, MANY CHILDREN CONTINUED TO RECEIVE FREE ACCESS TO HEALTHY MEALS THANKS TO THE KEEP KIDS FED ACT, A TEMPORARY AND PARTIAL EXTENSION OF PANDEMIC-ERA SCHOOL MEAL WAIVERS. CALIFORNIA, MAINE, VERMONT AND WASHINGTON ALSO ADOPTED STATE-WIDE PROGRAMS TO PROVIDE HEALTHY SCHOOL MEALS FOR ALL STUDENTS. - FROM CALIFORNIA TO MAINE AND POINTS BETWEEN, THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION ACHIEVED LEGISLATIVE MILESTONES IN STAMPING OUT BIG TOBACCO. FOLLOWING A $5 MILLION CUT TO ITS TOBACCO PREVENTION AND CONTROL PROGRAM LAST SESSION, MAINE PASSED A $7.5 MILLION ALLOCATION THAT ALIGNS 100% WITH U.S. CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION BEST PRACTICES. - IN THE FINAL WEEKS OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION, THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY PUSHED TO LIMIT LOCAL REGULATIONS OF TOBACCO FLAVORS AND PRODUCTS. BUT THE QUICK ACTION AND COLLABORATION OF ASSOCIATION STAFF PREVENTED PASSAGE OF THE TOBACCO PREEMPTION BILL FOR A FIFTH YEAR. THE ASSOCIATION WORKED WITH PARTNERS TO PROPOSE POLICY, MEET WITH COUNCIL MEMBERS, OFFER TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND PROVIDE TESTIMONY. DESPITE MORE PREEMPTION LAWS AND ATTEMPTS TO EXEMPT SOME TOBACCO PRODUCTS, OUR TEAMS PREVAILED. - THE ASSOCIATION AND COALITION PARTNERS MET VIRTUALLY WITH LAWMAKERS IN LATE 2021 TO PROMOTE PASSAGE OF THE LEGACY IRA ACT, A BIPARTISAN BILL THAT WOULD MAKE IT EASIER FOR MIDDLE-INCOME SENIORS TO GIVE TO CHARITY. LEGISLATION WOULD ALLOW SENIORS, STARTING AT AGE 65, TO MAKE TAX-FREE IRA ROLLOVERS TO CHARITIES THROUGH LIFE-INCOME PLANS.