American Heart Association

Addressing structural racism central to reducing cardiovascular disease disparities across the U.S.

Statement Highlights:

  • A new American Heart Association policy statement examines the history of structural racism and offers public policy considerations for several key social drivers of health disparities, including health care, healthy food and nutrition access, access to capital, housing, education and the environment.
  • During the past few years, the largest increases in cardiovascular disease deaths were among Asian, Black and Hispanic adults in the U.S.
  • Generational socioeconomic adversity, especially among diverse racial and ethnic groups in the U.S., is tied to structural discrimination.
  • The new policy statement builds on the Association’s 2020 Presidential Advisory, which identified structural racism as a cause of poor health and premature death from heart disease and stroke and discussed opportunities to leverage public policy to promote overall health and well-being and rectify structural barriers that impede progress toward optimal health for all people.
  • The Association advises a multipronged approach to address structural racism through public policy that involves centering equity, understanding the lived experience, cultivating powerful cross-sector partnerships and defining metrics for success.

DALLAS, January 16, 2024 — The existence of structural racism creates a barrier to equitable access to health care and as a result is a fundamental driver of health disparities in the U.S., concluded a 2020 American Heart Association Presidential Advisory. A new policy statement from the American Heart Association, Addressing Structural Racism Through Public Policy Advocacy, offers public policy considerations to address several key social determinants of health, such as health care, healthy food and nutrition access, access to capital, housing, education and the environment. The statement was published today in Circulation, the Association’s flagship peer-reviewed scientific journal.

The new policy statement builds on the Presidential Advisory, which identified structural racism as a cause of poor health and premature death from heart disease and stroke and discussed specific opportunities to leverage public policy to promote overall health and well-being and rectify structural barriers that impede progress toward optimal health for all people in their communities. During the past few years, the largest increases in cardiovascular disease deaths were among Asian, Black and Hispanic adults in the U.S.

“Structural racism has had a profound impact on the health and survival of many people, particularly in diverse racial and ethnic communities,” said writing group Chair Michelle A. Albert, M.D., M.P.H., FAHA, immediate past volunteer president of the American Heart Association; immediate past president of the Association of Black Cardiologists; and director of the University of California, San Francsico Center for the Study of Adversity and Cardiovascular Disease (NURTURE Center), where she is the Walter A. Haas-Lucie Stern Endowed Chair in Cardiology and professor of medicine. “Improving health outcomes in communities of color is imperative and requires addressing strategic public policy shifts at the intersection of structural discrimination and health equity, including but not limited to public health institutions and data infrastructure, health information technology and civic engagement.  This statement has more than 60 policy ideas intended to help serve as a framework or template among collaborators at national and even international levels.”

The statement presents policy considerations in the spirit of shared responsibility and collective action. The Association encourages a multidimensional approach to address structural racism through public policy that is centered on health equity, informed through lived experience, inspired by cross-sector partnerships and accountable through defined metrics for success.

“Removing barriers to health equity will require ongoing, specific and collaborative efforts,” said the Association’s current volunteer President Joseph C. Wu, M.D., Ph.D., FAHA, director of the Stanford Cardiovascular Institute and professor of Medicine and Radiology at Stanford University School of Medicine. “We welcome and call for a broad coalition of stakeholders across disciplines and industries to address structural racism in both policy and practice. The American Heart Association commits to being a leader and an ally in improving social determinants of health and tackling the root causes of health inequities.”

The policy statement was crafted by a volunteer writing group on behalf of the Association’s Advocacy Coordinating Committee. Policy statements help position the Association on public policy issues that will impact cardiovascular health and mortality; guide our advocacy work at all levels of government; allow us to support the important work of others; and inform policymakers, practitioners, health care professionals, researchers, the media and the public.

Additional co-authors and members of the writing group are writing group Vice Chair Keith Churchwell, M.D., FAHA, the Association’s president-elect; Nihar Desai, M.D., FAHA; Janay Johnson, M.P.H.; Michelle Johnson, M.D.; Amit Khera, M.D., FAHA; Jennifer Mieres, M.D., FAHA; Fatima Rodriguez, M.D., M.P.H., FAHA; Gladys Velarde, M.D., FAHA; David R. Williams, Ph.D.; Joseph C. Wu, M.D., Ph.D. Authors’ disclosures are listed in the manuscript.

The Association receives funding primarily from individuals. Foundations and corporations (including pharmaceutical, device manufacturers and other companies) also make donations and fund specific Association programs and events. The Association has strict policies to prevent these relationships from influencing the science content. Revenues from pharmaceutical and biotech companies, device manufacturers and health insurance providers and the Association’s overall financial information are available here.

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About the American Heart Association 

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for a century. During 2024 – our Centennial year – we celebrate our rich 100-year history and accomplishments. As we forge ahead into our second century of bold discovery and impact, our vision is to advance health and hope for everyone, everywhere. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.

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For Media Inquiries and AHA/ASA Expert Perspective: 214-706-1173

Julie Thomm, julie.thomm@heart.org  

For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)

heart.org and stroke.org

 

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