WASHINGTON, D.C., August 18, 2020 — The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services today released Healthy People 2030, a set of science-based, national public health priorities updated every 10 years to improve the health of all Americans. Following is a statement from the American Heart Association, the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke:
“Healthy People 2030 closely aligns with the American Heart Association’s health priorities by emphasizing health conditions including heart disease and stroke; healthy behaviors including healthy eating, abstaining from tobacco and nicotine use, engaging in physical activity and practicing preventive care; the settings where people spend a majority of their time and social determinants of health. We agree with the initiative’s emphasis on comprehensive data monitoring and evaluation, which are critical to tracking and understanding the state of public health in our nation and encouraging healthy behaviors.
“Healthy People 2030 prioritizes key areas such as eliminating health disparities, achieving health equity and attaining health literacy to ensure all populations can live longer, healthier lives. The initiative’s increased emphasis on well-being, social determinants of health, individuals with disabilities and the aging population are among the necessary updates to address the needs of our nation today. As the initiative highlights, improving the health and well-being of all people requires the involvement of diverse stakeholders from across the public, private and nonprofit sectors.
“Healthy People 2030 comes as our nation faces an historic public health crisis in the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially thought to be an infection causing disease of the lungs, the novel coronavirus also causes inflammation of the vascular system and injury to the heart. The more we learn about the links between COVID-19 and cardiovascular disease, the greater the need to turbocharge our nation’s longstanding efforts to equitably improve cardiovascular health and quality of life through awareness of the risk factors for heart attack and stroke, early identification and treatment of heart attacks and strokes, and prevention of repeat cardiovascular events. It has become abundantly clear that people in some racial and ethnic groups are disproportionately affected by COVID-19 – an outcome driven in part by disparities in health conditions, behaviors and most importantly, social determinants of health. The pandemic makes it more important than ever to address population health and determinants of health to reduce susceptibility to infectious and chronic disease.
“The Healthy People 2030 blueprint sets clear objectives for population health while emphasizing the importance of collaboration and multi-sector partnerships. We look forward to working with HHS to achieve the goals outlined in this framework.”
For more information, visit https://health.gov/healthypeople.
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About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a leading force for a world of longer, healthier lives. With nearly a century of lifesaving work, the Dallas-based association is dedicated to ensuring equitable health for all. We are a trustworthy source empowering people to improve their heart health, brain health and well-being. We collaborate with numerous organizations and millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, advocate for stronger public health policies and share lifesaving resources and information. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, Twitter or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
For media inquiries please contact:
Suniti Sarah Bal – 202.785.7929; suniti.bal@heart.org
For public inquiries please contact:
800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and strokeassociation.org