American Heart Association Challenges Congress to Commit to Americans' Health

1/20/2004

From: Charles Hodges or Eric Bolton, 202-785-7900; both of the American Heart Association

WASHINGTON, Jan. 20 -- Just as many Americans have resolved to improve their health in the New Year, Congress should strive to do the same for all Americans, according to the American Heart Association. The association says that 2004 should be the year Congress commits to fighting the most prolific killers in the nation, heart disease, the No. 1 killer, and stroke, the No. 3 leading cause of death.

"Many Americans promised themselves they would improve their health in the New Year -- eat better and get more exercise," said American Heart Association President Augustus O. Grant, M.D., Ph.D. "Now it is Congress's turn to make the same pledge to all Americans. Heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases claim far too many lives -- nearly 1 million per year -- and almost a quarter of all Americans are afflicted with at least one type of cardiovascular disease."

The association sent a letter to each Member of Congress outlining the organization's legislative priorities and requesting support in fighting cardiovascular diseases, as well as joining the fight against the growing obesity epidemic. "It is estimated that cardiovascular diseases will cost our nation more than $368 billion in 2004," said Grant. "Not only is this a huge financial burden for the nation, but we must always remember the emotional cost of lives lost and the burden these diseases place on affected individuals and their families. We are urging Congress to focus this year on the best solutions to fighting cardiovascular diseases -- research, prevention and a multifaceted approach to combating obesity."

The American Heart Association is asking Congress to address the following:

-- Pass the Stroke Treatment and Ongoing Prevention (STOP Stroke) Act: 700,000 Americans will have a stroke this year, and nearly one quarter of them will die. The STOP Stroke Act will improve the quality of care and help reduce the number of strokes.

-- Commit to preventing chronic diseases and seeking cures: Significantly enhance funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program, and invest in promising opportunities by dramatically boosting funding for National Institutes of Health (NIH) heart disease and stroke research. Funding for heart disease and stroke research falls far short of what is needed.

-- Fight obesity on three fronts: Obesity is a risk factor for a host of diseases, including heart disease and stroke. Too many Americans -- more then 60 percent -- are overweight or obese, and the rate of childhood obesity has doubled in just the past 20 years. Prevent the growing obesity epidemic through better nutrition and increased physical activity by reauthorizing the Child Nutrition Program, supporting transportation policies like Safe Routes to School, and passing the IMPACT bill (H.R. 716).

-- Reduce tobacco's toll on America: Tobacco use is the single most preventable cause of death in the U.S., and tobacco remains the only product sold that, when used according to the manufacturers' instructions, can cause death and disability. Support meaningful, adequately funded Food and Drug Administration regulation of tobacco products. More information and safeguards are provided on the manufacture and labeling of orange juice than on this addictive and deadly product.

-- Ensure that heart disease and stroke patients have prompt access to quality care: Deliver Americans timely, high quality emergency care by supporting automated external defibrillation funding initiatives and by ensuring that 9-1-1 systems work seamlessly in an emergency situation.

"In many ways, the nation's health is worsening," added Grant. "Americans are concerned about how they, or the government, will pay for their health care down the road. To start, we need to focus on preventing these diseases by reducing smoking, increasing exercise and improving our diets. We must also continue to search for groundbreaking cures for these leading killers."

"These policy priorities are just a few ways we can resolve to improve America's health," said Grant. "Disease prevention, research and improved access to care mean healthier hearts and fewer strokes, which result in better health, and lives, for us all."