By Ashlee Banks
Special to the AFRO

In a significant move to enhance cardiovascular health across the United States, Congress has enacted several key pieces of legislation aimed at bolstering research, prevention and access to care. These laws are poised to benefit marginalized communities, particularly low-income populations, people of color and women, who have historically faced disparities in heart health outcomes.

One notable law is the HEARTS Act of 2024, championed by Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-N.J.-6). This legislation establishes a federal grant program to equip schools and childcare centers with automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and provide CPR training. The goal is to prevent sudden cardiac arrest in young people by ensuring that educational institutions are prepared for cardiac emergencies.

Upon the bill’s passage, Congressman Pallone stated that “too many young people” are dying from cardiac arrest.

Lawmakers are working to address heart health disparities by improving access to care and funding research. (Photo courtesy of FDA)

“The HEARTS Act will raise awareness about the causes of sudden cardiac arrest and ensure schools are more prepared to deal with cardiac emergencies so we can save lives,” he said in a statement.

For marginalized communities, the HEARTS Act is particularly impactful. Black and Hispanic individuals experience higher rates of heart disease and often face barriers to early diagnosis and treatment. By promoting educational initiatives and making AEDs more accessible in schools, this law aims to address these inequities, ensuring that underserved communities have better access to emergency cardiac care.

Another significant piece of legislation is the Congenital Heart Futures Reauthorization Act of 2024, introduced by Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.-12) and Sen. Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.). This bipartisan law reauthorizes funding for critical research and public health initiatives focused on congenital heart disease (CHD). It allocates resources to the Department of Health and Human Services to investigate the causes, prevention, and treatment of CHD.

Representative Bilirakis emphasized the importance of the act, noting that he has become familiar with the struggles patients with congenital heart disease and their families face.

“Our legislation will bring us one step closer to enhancing better treatment options and improving outcomes for all patients suffering with this condition,” he said.

Leah Evangelista, chief public affairs and brand officer of the Children’s Hospital Association praised the legislation.

“Identifying congenital heart defects as early as possible and ensuring children receive the very best care is critical to saving lives and improving outcomes for children,” she said in a statement.

For low-income families and communities of color, the cost of CHD treatment can be prohibitive and access to specialized care is often limited. This reauthorization helps ensure continued federal funding for research and expands outreach programs that educate families on CHD management, offering hope to those who might otherwise struggle to afford or access necessary medical services.

These legislative efforts aim to push forward inclusive heart health policies. Marginalized communities, particularly Black and Hispanic individuals, low-income populations, and women, experience higher rates of heart disease and often face systemic barriers to care. These barriers include lack of health insurance, fewer healthcare facilities in their neighborhoods, and implicit bias in the medical system. Funding for research, education, and preventive care initiatives in these laws aims to improve heart health outcomes in underserved populations. The legislation also works to close the gap in health equity by ensuring life-saving tools, such as AEDs, medical training, and advanced research, are accessible to those who need them most.

As Congress continues to address heart health disparities, bipartisan efforts focus on expanding access to affordable healthcare services, increasing funding for community-based heart health programs, and ensuring that research reflects the unique needs of diverse populations. These legislative actions are contributing to a more inclusive approach to combating heart disease, improving cardiovascular health outcomes for all Americans, regardless of background or socioeconomic status.

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