South Asian Heart Health Awareness and Research Act of 2020

To amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for research and improvement of cardiovascular health among the South Asian population of the United States, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the South Asian Heart Health Awareness and Research Act of 2020 2. Heart health promotion grants Title III of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 241 42 U.S.C. 247b–23 317V. Heart health promotion grants (a) In general The Secretary shall make grants to States for the purpose of promoting awareness of the increasing prevalence of heart disease, including, where appropriate, its relationship to type 2 diabetes, in communities disproportionately affected by heart disease such as South Asian communities in the United States. (b) Use of funds A State that receives a grant under subsection (a) shall use such grant funds— (1) to develop culturally appropriate materials on evidence-based topics such as nutrition education, optimal diet plans, and programs for regular exercise; (2) to support heart health promotion activities of community organizations that work with or serve communities disproportionately affected by heart disease, such as South Asian communities in the United States; or (3) to support conferences or workshops on research practices, methodology, and design to include more members of communities disproportionately affected by heart disease, such as South Asian communities in the United States, in scientific studies. (c) Annual report to congress Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of the South Asian Heart Health Awareness and Research Act of 2020 (d) Authorization of appropriations For purposes of carrying out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated $1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024. . 3. Heart health research Part B of title IV of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 284 409K. Heart health research (a) In general The Secretary may— (1) conduct or support research and related activities regarding cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and other heart health-related ailments among at-risk populations, including South Asian communities in the United States; and (2) establish an Internet clearinghouse to catalog existing evidence-based heart health research and treatment options for communities disproportionately affected by heart disease, such as South Asian communities in the United States, to prevent, treat, or reverse heart disease and diabetes. (b) Authorization of appropriations For purposes of carrying out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated $1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024. . September 29, 2020 Reported with an amendment; committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed

Summary: South Asian Heart Health Awareness and Research Act of 2020 This bill establishes a program that supports heart-disease research and awareness among disproportionately affected populations, including the South Asian population, of the United States. Specifically, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must award grants to states for awareness initiatives, educational materials, and research catalogs regarding the prevalence of heart disease, including the association of type 2 diabetes, with respect to the South Asian population. HHS may also support or conduct research in this area.