Statement highlights:
- A new policy statement from the American Heart Association examines the history of structural racism and offers public policy considerations for several key social drivers of health disparities, including access to health care, healthy food and nutrition, capital, housing, education and the environment.
- Over the past few years, Asian, black and Hispanic adults in the United States have seen the largest increases in cardiovascular disease deaths.
- Intergenerational socioeconomic adversity, particularly among diverse racial and ethnic groups in the United States, is linked to structural discrimination.
- The new policy statement builds on the Association’s 2020 Presidential Advisory Paper, 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 redress structural barriers that impede progress toward optimal health for all people.
- The Association recommends a multifaceted approach to addressing structural racism through public policy that includes focusing on equity, understanding lived experiences, fostering strong cross-sector partnerships and defining metrics for success.
DALLAS, January 16, 2024 — The existence of structural racism impedes equitable access to health care and, as a result, is a fundamental driver of health disparities in the United States, concluded the 2020 American Heart Association Presidential Advisory Committee. The American Heart Association’s new policy statement, “Addressing Structural Racism Through Public Policy Advocacy,” lays out public policy considerations to address several key social determinants of health, including access to health care, healthy food and nutrition, capital, housing, education and the environment. The statement was released today: Circulationthe Society’s flagship peer-reviewed scientific journal.
The new policy statement builds on a Presidential advisory paper that identifies structural racism as a cause of poor health and premature death from heart disease and stroke, and discusses specific opportunities to leverage public policy to promote overall health and well-being and redress structural barriers that impede progress toward optimal health for all people in our communities. Over the past few years, the United States has seen the largest increases in cardiovascular disease deaths among Asian, Black and Hispanic adults.
“Structural racism has had a profound impact on the health and survival of many people, especially in racially and ethnically diverse communities,” said Michelle A. Albert, MD, MPH, FAHA, chair of the writing group, immediate past volunteer president of the American Heart Association, immediate past president of the National Association of Black Cardiologists, director of the University of California, San Francisco’s NURTURE Center for the Study of Adversity and Cardiovascular Disease (NURTURE Center) and the Walter A. Haas-Lucy Stern Endowed Professor of Cardiology and Professor of Medicine. “Improving health outcomes in communities of color is essential and requires strategic public policy shifts at the intersection of structural discrimination and health equity, including but not limited to public health agencies, data infrastructure, health information technology, and civic engagement. This statement contains over 60 policy ideas intended to serve as a framework or template among collaborators at the national and even international levels.”
The statement presents policy considerations in a spirit of shared responsibility and collective action. The Association encourages a multidimensional approach to addressing structural racism through public policies that are centered on health equity, grounded in lived experience, inspired by intersectoral partnerships, and accountable based on clear success metrics.
“Removing barriers to health equity requires sustained, concrete and collaborative efforts,” said Joseph C. Wu, MD, FAHA, the association’s current volunteer president, director of the Stanford Heart and Vascular Institute and professor of medicine and radiology at the Stanford University School of Medicine. “We welcome and invite a broad coalition of stakeholders across disciplines and industries to address structural racism in both policy and practice. The American Heart Association is committed to being a leader and ally in improving social determinants of health and addressing the root causes of health disparities.”
This policy statement was prepared by a volunteer writing group on behalf of the Association’s Advocacy Coordinating Committee. Policy statements clarify the Association’s positions on public policy issues affecting cardiovascular health and mortality, help guide our advocacy efforts at all levels of government, support the important work of others, and inform policy makers, practitioners, health care professionals, researchers, the media, and the public.
Additional co-authors and writing group members include Writing Group Vice Chair and Society President-Elect Keith Churchwell, MD, FAHA, Nihar Desai, MD, FAHA, Janay Johnson, MD, Michelle Johnson, MD, Amit Khera, MD, FAHA, Jennifer Mieres, MD, FAHA, Fatima Rodriguez, MD, MPH, FAHA, Gladys Velarde, MD, FAHA, David R. Williams, MD, and Joseph C. Wu, MD. Author disclosures are available in the manuscript.
The Society receives funding primarily from individuals. Foundations and corporations (including pharmaceutical companies, device manufacturers, and other businesses) also make donations and fund certain Society programs and events. The Society has strict policies to ensure these relationships do not influence scientific content. Revenue from pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, device manufacturers, and health insurers, as well as the Society’s overall financial information, can be found here.
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About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association works tirelessly for a world where people live longer, healthier lives. We are committed to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Working with countless organizations and harnessing the power of millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for public health and share resources that save lives. The Dallas-based organization has been the leading source of health information for a century. As 2024 marks our 100th anniversary, we celebrate a century of rich history and accomplishments. As we move into our second century of bold discovery and impact, our vision is to advance health and hope for all people, everywhere. Connect with us at heart.org, Facebook, and LinkedIn. X Or call 1-800-AHA-USA1.
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