IV 

116TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. RES. 860 

Recognizing the rise of cardiovascular disease as the world’s leading cause 

of preventable death and disability and as a global public health crisis 

and supporting the recognition of February 2020 as ‘‘American Heart 

Month’’. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

FEBRUARY 14, 2020 

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey (for himself and Mrs. BEATTY) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for 

a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for 

consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing the rise of cardiovascular disease as the world’s 

leading cause of preventable death and disability and 

as a global public health crisis and supporting the recognition of February 2020 as ‘‘American Heart Month’’. 

Whereas the World Health Organization estimates that in 

2017, 17.8 million people died from cardiovascular diseases (referred to in this resolution as ‘‘CVDs’’) globally; 

Whereas of these deaths, 85 percent were due to heart attacks and strokes, and over three-quarters of CVD deaths 

occur in low- and middle-income countries; 


pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
2 

•HRES 860 IH 

Whereas CVDs result in tremendous health care costs and 

lost productivity and, if not addressed, the United States 

alone will spend over $1,000,000,000 by 2035 on costs 

relating to CVD; 

Whereas the heavy burden of death and disability from CVDs 

can be decreased through changes in behavior linked to 

major risk factors, including reduced tobacco use and salt 

consumption and improvements in access to medical 

treatment and services; 

Whereas essential quality-assured medicines and technologies 

are critical components to address the global burden of 

CVDs; and 

Whereas United States leadership and support has strengthened surveillance, enhanced workforce capacity, and provided valuable technical exchanges with respect to the 

prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of CVD: Now, 

therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) supports the recognition of American Heart 

3 Month to bring awareness to the cardiovascular dis4 ease (hereinafter referred to as ‘‘CVD’’) public 

5 health crisis in the United States and abroad; 

6 (2) affirms that the key to overcoming CVD is 

7 prevention and early detection and treatment to re8 duce long-term disability and mortality; 

9 (3) urges the deployment of United States tech10 nical expertise on CVDs in support of developing caVerDate Sep 11 2014 20:34 Feb 14, 2020 Jkt 099200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\HR860.IH HR860

pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS
3 

•HRES 860 IH 

1 pacities and strengthening of the health care sys2 tems of other countries; 

3 (4) values the quality of life for CVD patients 

4 around the world and their reintegration to society; 

5 and 

6 (5) calls on the Department of State, the 

7 United States Agency for International Develop8 ment, and the Centers for Disease Control and Pre9 vention, to— 

10 (A) comprehensively examine the impact of 

11 CVDs on health and development in United 

12 States priority assistance countries; and 

13 (B) develop a coordinated strategy that im14 proves the effectiveness and impact of United 

15 States-financed global health programming by 

16 integrating CVD into existing programs. 

Æ 


pamtmann on DSKBC07HB2PROD with BILLS