Federal health authorities are intensifying efforts to address the stark racial disparities in cardiovascular health, particularly among Black Americans, as American Heart Month aligns with Black History Month. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Office of Minority Health (CMS OMH) has highlighted the disproportionate impact of heart disease on Black communities, citing challenges such as access to medication, preventive services, and safe exercise environments.
Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death across most demographics in the United States, with Black individuals experiencing the highest prevalence of any racial group. In response, CMS OMH is promoting prevention and care management as critical tools in combating these health disparities.
The Million Hearts® initiative, a national effort to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes within five years, is also playing a key role by focusing on evidence-based priorities and targeting populations experiencing inequities, including racial and ethnic minority groups.
Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveal that nearly half of all African American adults have some form of cardiovascular disease, and they are more likely to suffer from high blood pressure and its consequences compared to their white counterparts. Moreover, socioeconomic factors, such as living below the federal poverty level, exacerbate the risk of high blood pressure.
The CDC’s American Heart Month toolkits emphasize the importance of raising awareness about cardiovascular disease among women, particularly Black women, who face higher risks and barriers to equitable healthcare.
This concerted push by federal agencies underscores the urgent need to address cardiovascular health disparities and ensure that prevention and treatment strategies are inclusive and effective for all Americans, regardless of race or ethnicity.
See: “Feds Focus on Cardiovascular Health Disparities as American Heart Month and Black History Month Coincide” by Mark Spivey on the ICD10monitor website (February 12, 2024)
