Advocacy
Be a part of the cure. Be an advocate.
Research saves lives. It is the starting point for all medical progress. Heart disease, stroke and other forms of cardiovascular disease remain the No. 1 and most costly killer in our country, taking the lives of far too many loved ones each year. And despite major advances in treatment, there is still no cure.
As medical professionals, you are fighting heart disease and stroke every day. Now, you can lend your expertise as an advocate to influence policymakers. You’re the Cure! You can help today!
Advocacy - Get Involved
Legislators and policymakers play an important role in fighting heart disease and stroke, but they need to hear from advocates like you. You’re the Cure when you advocate for public policies that advance the fight against heart disease and stroke. Your special perspective as a medical professional is invaluable as we make our case with lawmakers. You may be the key to ensuring that public health policies are in place to give Americans the tools they need to lead healthier lives free of cardiovascular disease and stroke. Learn more about how you can help reduce disability and death from the nation’s leading killers by visiting our Resource Center for Advocates. You can make a difference in fighting these devastating diseases! Advocacy Issues at a Glance To support advocacy efforts, we need your help to communicate to elected officials in an effort to influence the process. Lawmakers want to hear from leaders and constituents in the community who are ultimately impacted by decisions they make. Take a moment to visit the issue specific websites and take action today! Research Saves Lives – Speak out for increased funding of NIH medical research to find a cure for heart disease and stroke. AHA/ASA recommends $32.4 billion — or a 7 percent increase — for the NIH, a request consistent with the president’s commitment to double NIH funding over the next decade. Healthcare Reform - The AHA advocates for meaningful, affordable health care for everyone with heart disease or stroke or who is at-risk for these conditions. Key reform for heart and stroke patients and those at risk must address the prevention; expanding access to affordable and quality healthcare; improving the quality of healthcare; and reducing healthcare costs. Health Disparities - AHA supports initiatives to monitor, report and evaluate data on the equity of healthcare delivery, expand cultural competency training for healthcare professions, and health literacy education for all consumers. The HEART for Women Act is bipartisan legislation that would help eliminate the cardiovascular health disparities women face. Stroke Prevention and Treatment - We’re fighting every day for public policies to improve the treatment of stroke, enhance stroke research, ensure access to needed rehabilitation, and ultimately to cure this devastating disease. Tobacco Control - The AHA continues to advocate for passage of legislation that gives the Food and Drug Administration the authority to regulate the manufacturing, marketing and advertising of tobacco. Curbing Childhood Obesity – The AHA aims to address the childhood obesity epidemic through legislation including the FIT Kids Act which holds schools accountable for providing students with high quality physical education. Its reporting requirements are key to motivating parents, schools, communities and states to help reverse the decline in PE and physical activity among our nation’s youth.
NIH Grant Opportunities
The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association advocates on several priority issues that move the organization closer to its goal of reducing heart disease, stroke and risk by 25 percent by 2010. Key policy issues include research and prevention funding, access to quality health care, stroke, health disparities, tobacco control, obesity, emergency cardiovascular care, physical activity and nonprofit issues.
Learn About Our Issues
The American Heart Association's legislative advocacy efforts move us closer to our goal of reducing heart disease, stroke and risk by 25 percent by the year 2010. Learn about key policy issues including research and prevention funding, access to quality health care, stroke, tobacco control, obesity, emergency cardiovascular care, physical activity and nonprofit issues.
