Third Annual Southern New England Hard Hats with Heart Leaders Are Building Healthier Futures Across the Construction Industry
PROVIDENCE, R.I., June 30, 2026 — Construction workers face a disproportionately high risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke compared to employees in many other industries. Long work hours, high stress, tobacco use, poor nutrition and limited opportunities for regular physical activity contribute to increased health risks for workers throughout the construction trade.
To address these challenges, construction and industry leaders across Southern New England are joining forces through the American Heart Association’s Hard Hats with Heart initiative. Now in its third year, the campaign brings together executives and industry professionals committed to improving workforce health, advancing stroke and heart disease awareness and strengthening emergency preparedness on jobsites throughout Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut. The event will be chaired by Bob Kunz, corporate safety director for Dimeo Construction Company.
"Construction is one of the most rewarding careers there is - but its demanding schedules and high-pressure environments have a way of pushing aside the habits that sustain us, from regular exercise to eating well, and that unrelenting stress takes a cumulative toll on both mental and cardiovascular health,” shared Kunz. “I’m honored to chair the 2026 Hard Hats with Heart campaign because I believe the men and women who build our world deserve the same investment in their well-being as they give to everything they build.”
Throughout 2026, Hard Hats with Heart leaders will champion conversations about employee well-being, encourage healthy lifestyle changes and support the American Heart Association’s mission to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Participants also will promote the implementation of workplace cardiac emergency response plans, written protocols that help ensure workers receive immediate care during a cardiac arrest emergency.
"Construction professionals dedicate themselves every day to building our communities, and they deserve the tools and resources to protect their own health as well," said Gretta Jacobs, development director for the American Heart Association. "Hard Hats with Heart empowers industry leaders to prioritize heart health, stroke prevention and emergency preparedness while creating a culture that supports healthier employees and safer jobsites across Southern New England."
The accomplishments of the 2026 Hard Hats with Heart campaign will be celebrated at the Third Annual Southern New England Hard Hats with Heart event on Oct. 29, 2026, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Warwick, Rhode Island. Held on World Stroke Day, the event will recognize industry leaders who are helping build healthier hearts, healthier minds and healthier workplaces throughout the region.
The American Heart Association invites construction executives, contractors, suppliers and industry partners to join the campaign and support its mission to improve health outcomes across the construction workforce.
For sponsorship opportunities, leadership participation or more information about the 2026 Southern New England Hard Hats with Heart campaign, contact Gretta Jacobs at gretta.jacobs@heart.org. The event’s media sponsor is iHeartRadio. For more information about the Southern New England Hard Hats with Heart initiative, visit www.heart.org/snehardhats.
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About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than 100 years. Supported by millions of volunteers, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public's health and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us at heart.org, on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn, or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
For Media Inquiries:
For Local Inquiries: Krista Barber krista.barber@heart.org
