DALLAS, February 2, 2024 — Black Americans have the highest incidence of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and are significantly less likely to survive.[1] Cardiac arrests in black neighborhoods are associated with alarmingly low treatment and survival rates, with recent studies showing that both bystander CPR and bystander AED use are lower in these neighborhoods. Shown. Recognizing the unique intersection of American Heart Month and Black History Month, and celebrating 100 years of saving lives, the American Heart Association is commemorating this occasion by improving access to equitable health and improving health We recognize three individuals who have taken action to change outcomes.
Buffalo Bills safety and cardiac arrest survivor Damar Hamlin recognized the need for CPR education at a ceremony hosted by CBS News national correspondent Michelle Miller on February 1 in New York City. In recognition of his historic efforts to spread the word, he received the association’s “Voice of the Mission Award.” Provide training opportunities especially for young athletes. As a national ambassador for the American Heart Association’s Nation of Lifesavers™ initiative, he works with the American Heart Association to equip anyone, anywhere with his CPR life-saving skills and uses his AED (Automated External Defibrillation) in the community. We are working hard to make the equipment available. Schools, workplaces, places of worship.
The Voice of the Mission award is one of the highest volunteer honors the association bestows each year. It recognizes individuals who have made a significant impact in raising awareness and educating by using their voices to amplify the lifesaving mission of the American Heart Association. The winners of this award must have succeeded in telling their personal stories. The recipient must have also inspired others to take action.
“Damar Hamlin is a great role model for the next generation. He turned his recovery into a meaningful journey that led thousands of people to learn the life-saving technique of CPR,” said American Heart Association Chief Executive Officer. said Nancy Brown. “The American Heart Association and Mr. Damar’s philanthropic organization, the Chasing M’s Foundation, are working together to transform a nation of bystanders into a nation of lifesavers through CPR and AED training.”
In addition, the American Heart Association Impact with Heart Award also recognizes specific local entrepreneurial initiatives that have developed and implemented innovative solutions that provide tools and resources to support both physical and mental health. Awarded to two local community leaders.
Andrew Suggs, a 2019 National EmPOWERED to Serve Business Accelerator finalist, is the CEO and founder of Livechair Health in Baltimore. Through Livechair, barbers are trained and equipped with cuffs to measure blood pressure, scales to check body mass index (BMI), and health risk assessments to detect a client’s likelihood of developing hypertension. .
The concept for Livechair Health was born out of a barber’s chair in Maryland in 2017 after Andrew’s father experienced congestive heart failure and three cardiac arrests. Those early years were spent convincing black men to track their vital signs while cutting their hair. Within the cultural context of a circle of trust between barbers and customers, Live Chair Health has helped thousands of members overcome deep-seated resistance to sharing personal information for health and well-being. .
Ashley Williams, also from Baltimore, is an educator, emotional health advocate, and mindfulness expert with over 10 years of experience in the emotional health field. She founded Climb after seeing children in the schools she worked at stressed out and struggling with anger, misbehavior, and anxiety.
Clymb is a Baltimore-based organization that provides web-based mental health software designed to increase emotional intelligence and develop healthy coping strategies in school-age children. His Bernard J. Tyson Impact Fund, one of the American Heart Association’s social impact funds, supported Climb for the first time in 2021. Since then, the organization has expanded its services to schools across the country outside of Baltimore and also includes additional language options to help young people. Increase emotional intelligence.
“In recognizing the American Heart Association’s 100 years of service, we recognize volunteers who share our mission of eliminating health disparities to ensure access to health care and quality care for people everywhere. I deeply value the strength and passion of our community leaders,” Marcia said. Mr. Jones is the volunteer board chair of the American Heart Association and former executive vice president and chief diversity officer of PNC Financial Services Group. “From Damar’s voice inspiring others to understand the importance and value of CPR, to the creative innovations inspired by Andrew and Ashley’s work on the ground in their communities, as we enter our second century, We are committed to ensuring equitable health for everyone, everywhere.”
The American Heart Association Social Impact Fund was established in 2018 to support community-based solutions that reduce social and economic barriers to health equity. Nine out of 10 new businesses require capital, and women-led startups receive less than 3% of venture capital investments.[2] For many entrepreneurs and startup organizations, this lack of support can be a barrier to success and result in a lack of resources in the community. Helping these advocates advance their work in the areas of maternal health, food security, and health care access will help combat non-medical, social, and economic barriers to health and help everyone stay healthy for longer. It complements the efforts of the American Heart Association’s strategic goal of helping people live with their lives. This fund will go toward evidence-based, sustainable solutions led by local nonprofits and small businesses across a variety of markets and issues. EmPOWERED to Serve Business Accelerator connects social and digital health entrepreneurs and organizations who are driving change through health justice in their communities, specifically targeting food insecurity, transportation, access to health care, STEM, youth education, and more. Support at the same time.
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About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association works tirelessly to help the world live longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with thousands of organizations and the power of millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for public health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for a century. In 2024, our 100th anniversary, we celebrate our rich 100 years of history and achievements. As we move forward into his second century of bold discoveries and impact, our vision is to advance health and hope for everyone, everywhere. heart.org, Facebook, X Or call 1-800-AHA-USA1.
Media inquiries: 214-706-1173
Tracie Bertaut: 504-722-1695; Tracie.Bertaut@heart.org
General inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org
[1] Connie W. Tsao, MD, MPH, FAHA, Chair, Aaron W. Aday, MD, MS, FAHA, Zaid I. Almarzouk, MD, BCH, Alvaro Alonso, MD, PhD, FAHA, Andrea Z. Beaton, MD, MS, FAHA, Marcio S. Bittencourt, MD, PhD, MPH, FAHA, Amelia K. Boehme, PhD, MSc PhD, Alfred E. Buxton, MD, April P. Carson, PhD, MSc Dr., FAHA, Yvonne Commodore Mensah, MHS, RN, FAHA, Mitchell SV Elkind, MD, MS, FAHA, Kelly R. Evenson, PhD, MS, FAHA, Chete Ez Niamh, MD, MPH, Jane F. Ferguson, PhD, FAHA, Giuliano Generoso, MD, PhD, Jennifer E. Ho, MD, FAHA, Rizwan Kalani, MD, Sadiya S. Khan, MD, MSc, FAHA, Brett M. Kissela, MD, MS, FAHA, Kristen L. Knutson, PhD, Deborah A. Levine, MD, MPH, Tené T. Lewis, PhD, FAHA, Junxiu Liu, PhD, Matthew Shane Loop, PhD, FAHA, Jun Ma, MD, PhD, FAHA, Michael E. Mussolino, PhD, FAHA, Sankar D. Navaneethan, MD, MS, MPH, Amanda Marma Perak, MD, MS, FAHA, Remy Poudel, MS, MPH, CPH, Mary Rezk-Hanna, PhD, FAHA, Gregory A. Roth, MD, MPH, FAHA, Emily B. Schroeder, MD, PhD, FAHA, Svati H. Shah, MD, MHS, FAHA, Evan L. Thacker, PhD, Lisa B. VanWagner, MD, MSc, FAHA, Salim S Virani, MD, PhD, FAHA, Jenifer H. Voecks, PhD, Nae-Yuh Wang, PhD, MS, FAHA, Kristine Yaffe, MD, Seth S. Martin, MD, MHS, FAHA, American Heart Association Epidemiology and Prevention Statistics Committee Vice-Chairman Subcommittee on behalf of the Society and the Stroke Statistics Committee. Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics – 2022 Update: American Heart Association Report. Circulation. 2022; e153-e639. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000001052
