Title: Recognizing the rise of cardiovascular disease as the world's leading cause of preventable death and disability and as the global public health crisis of our generation and supporting the recognition of February 2022, as "American Heart Month".
Policy area: Health

Summary:
This resolution expresses support for the recognition of American Heart Month to bring awareness to the cardiovascular disease public health crisis in the United States and abroad.


[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 905 Introduced in House (IH)]

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117th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 905

 Recognizing the rise of cardiovascular disease as the world's leading 
  cause of preventable death and disability and as the global public 
   health crisis of our generation and supporting the recognition of 
              February 2022, as ``American Heart Month''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            February 3, 2022

  Mr. Smith of New Jersey (for himself and Mrs. Beatty) submitted the 
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and 
 Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, 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 the global public 
   health crisis of our generation and supporting the recognition of 
              February 2022, as ``American Heart Month''.

Whereas the World Health Organization estimates that in 2019, 17,900,000 people 
        died from cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), representing 32 percent of all 
        global deaths;
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;
Whereas CVDs result in tremendous health care costs and lost productivity and, 
        if not addressed, the United States alone will spend over 
        $1,000,000,000,000 by 2035 on costs relating to CVD;
Whereas educational attainment, household income, residential environment, 
        access to health care, and structural racism contribute significantly to 
        disparities in CVD mortality in the United States;
Whereas the global COVID-19 pandemic poses significantly high risk to 
        individuals with CVD and risk factors;
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, increased physical activity 
        and proper nutrition, and improvements in access to medical treatment 
        and services;
Whereas heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States 
        with deaths every 36.1 seconds, or 2,396 deaths each day;
Whereas 121,500,000 or 47 percent of United States adults have hypertension, a 
        leading risk factor for heart attack and stroke;
Whereas many women are not aware that CVD is the leading cause of death for 
        women in the United States, taking the lives of over 420,812 women in 
        2019;
Whereas CVD is the leading cause of maternal mortality in the United States, 
        accounting for 1 in 3 pregnancy-related deaths;
Whereas African Americans continue to experience the highest mortality rates 
        attributable to CVD and stroke, with over half of all African-American 
        adults with some form of CVD, including 58.8 percent of African-American 
        women and 60.1 percent of African-American men;
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 
        in the area of CVD: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports recognition of ``American Heart Month'' to 
        bring awareness to the cardiovascular disease (CVD) public 
        health crisis in the United States and abroad;
            (2) recognizes and reaffirms the commitment of the United 
        States to fighting CVD by--
                    (A) promoting awareness about the causes, risks, 
                and prevention of CVD;
                    (B) supporting research on CVD, including 
                disparities in CVD morbidity and mortality with respect 
                to race, ethnicity, and other social determinants of 
                health;
                    (C) equitably expanding access to affordable, 
                quality care to reduce long-term disability and 
                mortality; and
                    (D) strengthening the Nation's public health 
                infrastructure to support prevention, preparedness, and 
                responsiveness to ongoing threats to health;
            (3) urges the deployment of United States technical 
        expertise on CVDs in support of developing capacities and 
        strengthening health care systems and public health 
        infrastructure of other countries;
            (4) recognizes and supports efforts to address the long-
        term implications of the COVID-19 pandemic, including its 
        influence on cardiovascular health and mortality rates;
            (5) calls on the Department of State, the United States 
        Agency for International Development, and the Centers for 
        Disease Control and Prevention, to--
                    (A) comprehensively examine the impact of CVDs on 
                health and development in United States priority 
                assistance countries; and
                    (B) develop a coordinated strategy that improves 
                the effectiveness and impact of United States-financed 
                global health programming by integrating CVD into 
                existing programs;
            (6) commends the efforts of States, territories, and 
        possessions of the United States, localities, nonprofit 
        organizations, businesses and other entities, and the people of 
        the United States who support ``American Heart Month''; and
            (7) encourages every individual in the United States to 
        learn about his or her risk for CVD.
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