ADV-DC-Federal - Blog

New Sodium Report "Incomplete," says AHA

2013-05-15T15:08:46Z

DALLAS – May 14, 2013 ― The American Heart Association says a new report from the Institute of Medicine (IOM) -- Sodium Intake in Populations: Assessment of Evidence -- is incomplete in its assessment of sodium’s impact on health because it does not focus its examinations on scientific evidence that links excess consumption and high blood pressure. The report found that though reducing sodium intakes from current levels is important, and that there is a positive relationship between higher levels of sodium intake and risk of heart disease, there is not enough evidence to conclude that sodium reduction below 2,300 mg daily leads to less heart disease, stroke and a reduced risk of death.

“While the American Heart Association commends the IOM for taking on the challenging topic of sodium consumption, we disagree with key conclusions,” said the association’s CEO Nancy Brown.The report is missing a critical component – a comprehensive review of well-established evidence which links too much sodium to high blood pressure and heart disease.”

The American Heart Association has meticulously reviewed scientific research and recommends that all Americans eat no more than 1,500 mg a day of sodium. Current average sodium consumption in the United States for people age 2 and up is more than 3,400 mg a day.

A majority of the sodium Americans eat is in the form of salt that is added to processed foods and restaurant foods which makes it difficult for consumers to choose and control how much sodium they consume. While the food industry has reduced the sodium content of some foods, more significant reductions are needed. As a result, the association supports federal regulations that would limit the amount of sodium in foods – the primary strategy stated in a 2010 IOM report, Strategies to Reduce Sodium Intake in the United States.

Much of the research suggesting that decreasing sodium intake has no effect on or leads to increased heart disease and death has been conducted among sick patients, rather than the general population. “The research that the IOM partially based their conclusions on showed inconsistencies in the relationship between sodium intake and health outcomes. Yet these studies were not designed to assess the impact of various levels of sodium intake on cardiovascular health,” said Elliott Antman, M.D., a spokesperson for the American Heart Association, a cardiologist at the Brigham and Women's Hospital and a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School in Boston. Several of these studies with inconsistent reports are discussed in AHA’s 2012 Presidential Advisory, Sodium, Blood Pressure, and Cardiovascular Disease: Further Evidence Supporting the American Heart Association Sodium Reduction Recommendations.

Although the scientific community continues to debate the use of biomarkers in general and surrogate indicators of health outcomes, recent evidence attributes 35 percent of heart attack and stroke events, 49 percent of heart failure episodes, and 24 percent of premature deaths to high blood pressure.

The World Health Organization, in its 2012 sodium intake guidelines for adults and children, determined that blood pressure could be a suitable proxy indicator for risk of heart disease and stroke, as did a prior 2005 IOM report.

A recent review of current research conducted by the American Heart Association concluded that people who don’t currently have high blood pressure will benefit from consuming less than 1,500 mg of sodium daily, because less dietary sodium will significantly reduce the rise in blood pressure that occurs as we age. Ninety percent of all Americans are expected to develop high blood pressure in their lifetime. Independent of its effects on blood pressure, excess sodium intake adversely affects the heart, kidneys and blood vessels.

Reducing sodium intake in the United States can also rein in health costs. One estimate suggests a national effort that reduces population sodium intake by 1,200 mg per day could reduce the health burdens related to heart disease in addition to reducing costs by up to $24 billion per year.

Sodium consumption in the United States remains unacceptably high with an average of 3,329 mg in 2001-02 and an average intake of 3,463 mg in 2009-10, the latest year for which federal dietary intake data are available. Yet the Institute of Medicine’s Dietary Reference Intakes point out that 1,500 mg/D is an adequate intake for health.

The American Heart Association advocates for more robust sodium criteria within school nutrition standards, foods marketed to children and foods purchased by employers and government programs. The association also supports improved food labeling that helps consumers understand how much sodium is in their diet and consumer education in restaurants to help consumers choose lower-sodium options.

Successful sodium reduction requires action and partnership at all levels—individuals, healthcare providers, professional organizations, public health agencies, governments and industry. The association urges a renewed and intensive focus on this critically important public health issue. For more information on the association’s sodium reduction efforts, visit www.heart.org/sodium.

The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association receives funding mostly from individuals. Foundations and corporations donate as well, and fund specific programs and events. Strict policies are enforced to prevent these relationships from influencing the association’s science content. Financial information for the American Heart Association, including a list of contributions from pharmaceutical companies and device manufacturers, is available at www.heart.org/corporatefunding.

Get Ready for Recess!

2013-05-10T13:42:00Z

Throughout the summer months, Members of Congress return to their home states for in-district work periods, or recesses, which present an important opportunity for advocates to talk with their Representative and Senators about pressing heart disease and stroke policy issues. Here are some tips for getting the most out of the summer recesses…

1) Make a note of when the recesses are scheduled:

Memorial Day Recess	May 27th- May 31^st
Independence Day Recess	July 1^st- July 5^th
August Recess	August 5^th- September 6^th

2) Contact the American Heart Association Advocacy staff in your state to let them know you’re interested in helping during the summer recesses. They will be able to provide you with information on the hot heart and stroke issues we’re urging Congress to act on and recommend ways to connect with your legislators.

3) Visit your legislators’ website to sign-up for their e-newsletter and follow them on Facebook and Twitter. These are great ways to know about the events your Members of Congress will be attending or hosting during the various recess periods. From town hall meetings, to summer office hours, to parades they’ll be marching in, there are many opportunities to chat with your lawmakers about their support for key heart and stroke issues.

Have you visited with your Members of Congress during recess periods in the past? Tell us about it in the comments below!

Funding Cuts Continue to Threaten Medical Research

2013-05-09T14:42:00Z

Across-the-board federal budget cuts that took effect in March, known as the sequester, eliminated $1.5 billion or 5% from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) budget. These devastating cuts are already causing the cancellation or delay of promising research projects throughout the country, slowing progress in the prevention and treatment of heart disease and stroke- as well as other diseases like cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s.

The American Heart Association has joined other groups in the medical research community in urging Congress to restore the funds cut in the sequester and to dedicate $32 billion for NIH in the fiscal year ahead to get NIH back on track. President Obama’s FY2014 budget proposal submitted to Congress on April 10^th requested $31.331 billion for the NIH.

Both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives have passed budget bills, and the work now moves to the committees charged with appropriating the funds. Restoring funding for NIH has strong bipartisan support, with 52 Senators and 168 Representatives having signed letters asking appropriators to get the NIH back on track so life-saving medical research isn’t delayed any further.

The recent funding cuts will reduce the number of planned grants by about 2,300, eliminate more than 20,000 jobs nationwide, and reduce new economic activity by nearly $3 billion. It is vital we bring these statistics to life, as appropriators decide the future funding levels for NIH, by sharing real stories about the devastating impact these funding cuts have on heart disease and stroke researchers and patients.

AHA volunteer Dr. Steven Houser, a researcher at Temple University , was recently featured in a news article, sharing the difficult choice he must make between firing staff or cutting back on promising research as a result of funding cuts from the sequester. This is happening in research labs across the country, and ultimately the impact will trickle down to patients as new treatments and possible cures are put on hold.

Why does restoring medical research funding matter to you? Share your story now!

We will continue to keep you updated on this critical funding situation and will need your help to continue to push Congress to act to restore funding for medical research that is imperative to the fight against heart disease and stroke.

Act for AEDs in More Communities

2013-05-01T14:50:00Z

This is a critical time in Congress, as lawmakers work to allocate Federal dollars for the coming fiscal year. Even in this difficult economy, there are several federally-funded programs that are vital to the heart and stroke community, and we need to let lawmakers know they must be made a priority.

One such program helps buy and place automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in rural communities and trains first responders and lay rescuers in their use. The Rural and Community Access to Emergency Devices Program ensures those who live in rural areas or small towns have access to the tools that give them the best chance of surviving a cardiac arrest, but the program currently only has the resources to operate in 7 states and 1 U.S. territory.

Contact your lawmaker today! Ask them to prioritize funding that saves lives.

Shouldn’t people in every state be given the best shot at surviving a cardiac arrest? Communities with aggressive AED placements have increased survival rates from 10% to nearly 40%- an incredible improvement! But first responders, churches, recreation facilities and others in 43 states are still waiting for funds for this life-saving program.

As Members of Congress allocate funding, please contact your elected officials about the importance of this life-saving program TODAY!

AHA Voices Support For Bipartisan Medication Management Bill

2013-04-26T19:49:00Z

Washington, D.C., April 25, 2013 — American Heart Association President Donna Arnett, Ph.D., M.S.P.H., issued the following comments today on the “Medication Therapy Management Empowerment Act of 2013,” sponsored by Senators Kay Hagan, D-N.C., and Pat Roberts, R-Kan., and Representatives Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., and Ron Kind, D-Wis. The legislation has been introduced in the House and Senate:

“This important bipartisan legislation will provide support for those not achieving optimum medication adherence while saving millions of dollars in healthcare spending.

Studies have shown that many patients with chronic conditions fail to adhere to their medications, resulting in further complications and added costs to the healthcare system. For example, one in three, or 78 million adults in the U.S. have high blood pressure, but only about 46 percent have the condition adequately controlled. Medication therapy management programs are an important intervention that can improve medication adherence. Research indicates these programs can lead to better health outcomes, reduce the risk of adverse events and help control healthcare costs. For example, it is estimated that 46,000 deaths may be avoided each year if 70 percent of patients with high blood pressure got the treatment they need.

In order to be included in the current medication therapy management program, an individual must have multiple chronic conditions, be on multiple drugs and exceed a cost threshold to the Medicare Part D program of $3,000.The Medication Therapy Management Empowerment Act would increase access to medication therapy management services for Medicare Part D beneficiaries who suffer from just one chronic disease – like high blood pressure – ultimately improving healthcare quality and reducing overall healthcare costs. This is critical because just one condition can have a major health impact. Consider that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has characterized high blood pressure as “public health enemy No. 2,” after tobacco.

Ask Your Representative to Support Stroke Awareness

2013-04-24T19:16:00Z

The numbers are staggering...

About 795,000 Americans suffer a new or recurrent stroke each year.
Stroke kills more than 128,000 people a year, making it the 4th leading cause of death.
More than $38 billion is spent each year on stroke-related medical costs and disability.

Yet, many Americans still do not know their risk factors or how to spot a stroke in order to respond quickly in the event of an emergency.

To help raise awareness, Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-3) has introduced a resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives to recognize May as National Stroke Awareness Month. As a stroke survivor herself, she understands the impact this disease has on so many Americans, of all ages, races, and ethnicities, and is urging her colleagues in Congress to join her in showing their support.

And we can help! Please send a quick email to your Representative right now to ask him/her to add their name to the National Stroke Awareness Month resolution before April 30th.

Remember, together we can end stroke!

Many Hearts, One Voice on Capitol Hill

2013-04-17T16:57:00Z

Against the backdrop of Washington, DC’s famous cherry blossoms, 300 You’re the Cure advocates joined together in our nation’s capital in April to deliver a strong message to Congress: Invest in our health! Here are just a few of the highlights of You’re the Cure on the Hill 2013 activities…

We rallied for medical research! Thousands of advocates from the medical research community came together on April 8^th to make some noise about the need for Congress to prioritize our nation’s investment in research. And You’re the Cure advocates were in on all of the action!

Juddson Rupp from North Carolina and Amy Edmunds from South Carolina were two of the featured survivor-speakers that joined journalist Cokie Roberts, Representative Chris Van Hollen (MD-8), Representative Rosa DeLauro (CT-3), and others on stage to deliver the message and inspire the crowd.

And what an active crowd it was! You’re the Cure advocates joined in the cheers of “More Progress! More Hope! More Life!”, as they held-up big red hearts with the names of over 6,000 of their fellow advocates from across the country who pledged their support for medical research funding.

Check out some more great pictures from the Rally for Medical Research!

We turned Capitol Hill Red! The enthusiasm from the rally spilled over into our day on Capitol Hill on April 9^th. As heart disease and stroke survivors, caregivers, researchers, and medical professionals, each advocate had an important story and perspective to share with their Members of Congress, as we asked lawmakers to restore funding for the National Institutes of Health and support the Million Hearts initiative.

Dressed in red, advocates met with 252 congressional offices in the course of one day! And their visits came at a critical time, with legislators determining their funding priorities for the coming year.

See your fellow advocates in action with our nation’s decision-makers on Capitol Hill!

We honored our 2013 Advocates of the Year! At the local, state, and federal level, You’re the Cure advocates across the country work year after year to advance public policies that help build healthier communities and healthier lives free of heart disease and stroke. So, we were proud to recognize four of these outstanding individuals as our 2013 Advocates of the Year! Join us in congratulating:

Dr. William Weintraub (PA): Science-Advocate of the Year

Lee Storrow (NC): Volunteer-Advocate of the Year

Yolanda Dickerson (NC): Survivor-Advocate of the Year

Tommy Watson (VT): Youth-Advocate of the Year

Watch this great video to learn about their amazing work!

(Please visit the site to view this video)

Mixed News in President's Budget Proposal

2013-04-11T16:22:00Z

American Heart Association CEO Nancy Brown issued the following comment today on President Obama’s proposed fiscal year 2014 federal budget:

“While President Obama’s budget moves in the right direction by restoring the National Institutes of Health funding cut by the sequester, the administration’s proposal fails to fully account for medical research inflation and puts promising new research opportunities at risk. Over the past decade, the NIH has lost 20 percent of its purchasing power.

NIH-funded research is the best chance to find a cure for heart disease, stroke and other forms of cardiovascular disease that kill more than 800,000 Americans each year. Yet, stagnant federal support is holding back hope for the millions of Americans who suffer from these diseases.

The budget also includes an increase of $5 million for Million Hearts™, a national public-private initiative developed to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes by 2017. Although we are pleased that these investments to support heart disease and stroke prevention activities were proposed for 2014, we are disappointed that the administration failed to commit additional resources from the prevention trust fund specifically targeting the 37 million adult Americans with uncontrolled high blood pressure. These people are four times more likely to die of a stroke and three times more likely to die of heart disease.

Historically, nonprofits try to step in when government funding slows down. But the administration’s proposal to cut the charitable tax deduction could threaten the ability of these organizations to fill gaps left by cuts in prevention, research and social services programs. We urge the administration to increase, rather than reduce, incentives in the tax code that promote charitable giving – particularly when federal budgets are constrained.

The American Heart Association appreciates that this proposed budget does not undermine Medicare’s fundamental guarantee of health and financial security to millions of elderly and disabled Americans. Yet we believe more can be done to improve the health care Medicare beneficiaries receive and to further extend the program’s financial health. Moving forward, we will evaluate the savings recommended by the administration to see how they measure up to these goals, and continue to oppose any effort to shift costs to our most vulnerable beneficiaries suffering from heart disease and stroke. In the meantime, we are pleased that the budget protects Medicaid and recognizes that it is a lean and efficient program that serves as a needed safety net for millions of the most vulnerable patients.

Finally, we commend the president for recommending a tobacco tax increase. Study after study has shown that the fastest way to encourage people to quit smoking is to raise the cost of tobacco products. A federal increase will be a strong incentive for current smokers to have their last cigarette and prevent other people from ever taking up this deadly habit.”

You're the Cure Heads to Capitol Hill

2013-04-09T15:45:00Z

More than 300 American Heart Association volunteers came to Washington, D.C. today to urge Congress to restore federal funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and to support a Million Hearts campaign to attack the growing problem of high blood pressure – public health enemy No. 2 behind tobacco.

Heart disease and stroke survivors, researchers, and healthcare professionals from around the country are meeting with their congressional representatives to ask them to allocate $32 billion for the NIH for 2014, to restore funding cut by the sequester and get NIH back on track.

The March 1 sequester slashed nearly $1.5 billion, or 5 percent, of the NIH budget. A cut of this magnitude will reduce the number of planned research grants by about 2,300, cost more than 20,000 jobs nationwide and shrink new economic activity by nearly $3 billion. A typical NIH grant supports about seven full-time or part-time jobs, most of them high-tech. Every dollar that the NIH distributes through grants returns more than $2 in goods and services annually to a local community.

“If the NIH cuts remain in place, they will damage our fragile economy and threaten our nation’s position as the global leader in medical research,” said American Heart Association President Donna Arnett, Ph.D., MSPH. “More importantly, medical research is vital to discovering new treatments and even cures for generations to come. We must not give up the fight to increase federal support for the NIH.”

Advocates also asked Congress to fund a $35 million Million Hearts Initiative to tackle one of the nation’s most significant public health problems, high blood pressure. More than one in three adults in the United States have high blood pressure, but less than half have their condition under control. High blood pressure is one of the leading risk factors for heart attack or stroke.

Visit the You're the Cure Facebook page for some great photos and stay tuned for further updates about the amazing advocates who made their voices heard on Capitol Hill.

Watch the Rally for Medical Research LIVE

2013-04-02T19:03:20Z

We’re less than a week away from the Rally for Medical Research- a unified call to our nation’s policymakers about the critical need for a sustained investment in the National Institutes of Health to improve health, drive innovation, and support jobs! This significant event will bring together thousands of patients, researchers, government officials, and business leaders in Washington, DC- and tens of thousands of health-advocates across the country who will join the event virtually. We want to make sure you’re part of the action too. Here are a few easy ways to participate:

1) Watch the rally from your home computer! On April 8th at 11:00 am EST, the rally will be shown LIVE on YouTube. So, tune-in to hear from great speakers, including NIH Director Dr. Francis Collins and some of our very own You're the Cure survivor-advocates, about the importance of medical research to our nation’s health and economy. You'll also get to see our red hearts waving in the crowd!

2) Speak-Up! This rally will make a strong statement to our nation’s leaders about the wide-spread support for funding for the National Institutes of Health, but it’s up to each of us to make sure our own Senators and Representative get the message loud and clear. So after the rally, call, email, or tweet at your legislators about the importance of funding medical research.

3) “Like” and “Follow” the Action- We’ll be posting live updates on our Facebook and Twitter pages from the rally on 4/8 and from Capitol Hill on 4/9, as your fellow advocates meet with Members of Congress. ‘Like’, ‘Share’, and ‘Re-tweet’ along with us!

With the recent enactment of the across-the-board cuts known as sequestration, federal funding for medical research continues to erode, threatening progress being made toward life-saving discoveries. That’s why this strong statement to our nation’s elected officials is so critical. Thank you for standing with us and taking action on behalf of the heart and stroke community!

Be Part of the Rally for Medical Research!

2013-03-20T19:08:00Z

There’s something big about to happen in Washington, DC, that you need to be a part of! On April 8th, thousands of patients and researchers, including hundreds of our You’re the Cure advocates, will join together in our nation’s capital to deliver a strong, unified message to Congress that our nation’s investment in medical research must be prioritized. It’s called the Rally for Medical Research- and just because you’re not in DC, doesn’t mean you can’t be there with us! Here are a few easy ways to get involved:

Add your name to our ‘Many Hearts, One Voice for Medical Research’ petition today. Your fellow advocates attending the rally will carry big hearts proudly displaying the names of supporters from across the country, like you, who want our nation’s decision makers to get the message loud and clear: We need cures, not cuts!
Help us get the word out! The more names we have on our hearts, the bigger the presence of the heart and stroke community will be at the rally, so encourage your friends and family to sign the petition too. Post the link (http://yourethecure.org/heartsforresearch) to Facebook and Twitter today.
Watch the rally from your home computer! On April 8th at 11:00 am EST, the rally will be live-streaming on YouTube, so tune-in to hear from great speakers, including NIH Director Dr. Francis Collins and even a couple of our very own You're the Cure advocates about how critical medical research is. You'll also get to see our red hearts waving in the crowd! Watch here.

Medical research saves lives, inspires hope, fosters innovation, and boosts the economy. Yet, our country’s investment in the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the world’s leading research institution, continues to decline. This threatens the fight against heart disease and stroke, our nation’s No. 1 and No. 4 killers- and the jobs of the researchers who have dedicated their careers to advancing science that saves lives. It’s time to turn things around- and this rally makes an important statement to Congress. Thank you for joining with us to show your support for making medical research funding a national priority!

The Affordable Care Act Turns 3 This Week!

2013-03-18T18:20:00Z

Saturday, March 23^rd marks the 3^rd anniversary of the health reform law, the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Like any 3-year-old, the law is growing and evolving and has not reached its full potential. However, even in its early years the ACA has benefited people with heart disease and stroke and many of the law’s most helpful protections will be available in the very near future.

How is the law helping patients and families today? Approximately 88 million Americans have received at least one preventive screening or service with no cost-sharing in the last two years – these are tests that are helping to identify disease in its early and most treatable stages or services, like tobacco cessation , that can reduce the risk for heart disease or stroke. In addition, about 130,000 Americans with pre-existing medical conditions have gained comprehensive insurance coverage through the Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan. More than 3 million young adults, including young people born with congenital heart defects, have kept or gained coverage by remaining on their parents’ health plans until age 26. Also, 150 million Americans with private insurance coverage now have access to a new tool, called the Summary of Benefits and Coverage, which provides a short, uniform description of their insurance coverage in plain language to make it easier to understand their health plan and compare coverage options.

That’s not all. More than 6 million Medicare beneficiaries have saved nearly $6 billion on their prescription drugs, including $800 million in savings in 2012 alone on medications that help lower their cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels and prevent heart attacks and strokes. There is also evidence that reforms intended to improve the quality and value of care are beginning to work. Medicare costs grew at historically low levels for each of the last 3 years, and health care costs overall grew slower than the overall economy for the first time in more than a decade. That translates into lower than projected health care premiums for millions of Americans.

While these are all helpful changes, the most valuable parts of the law for patients with heart disease or stroke will not go into effect until the end of this year. Starting January 1^st, people with pre-existing medical conditions will no longer be denied coverage or charged higher premiums. For those who need health insurance, new health insurance marketplaces will open October 1^st of this year to provide a one-stop place to compare and buy coverage. The private health plans offered through these marketplaces must provide comprehensive coverage for doctors’ visits, hospital care, prescription drugs, rehabilitation and habilitation services, and other needed care. Finally, financial assistance may be available through the marketplaces, depending on income, to help make premiums affordable. In short, these new marketplaces coupled with the new insurance protections mean that Americans will not lose access to affordable health insurance coverage if they lose their job, switch jobs, or start a new business.

No law is perfect, and health reform is a work in progress. Nevertheless, increased access to coverage, more emphasis on prevention and wellness, and improved quality of care are steps in the right direction. The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association will continue to work every day to ensure that the needs of patients are met as health reform moves forward.

(**Today's blog post is written by Stephanie Mohl, a Government Relations Manager for the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. She works in our Office of Federal Advocacy in Washington, DC.)

Call your Senators TODAY!

2013-03-13T21:21:43Z

As Congress considers funding proposals for federal programs, Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) has offered an amendment on the Senate floor that would provide very modest increases for medical research, prevention and treatment programs of interest to us, including National Institutes of Health and the Rural and Community Access to a AEDs program, which increases survival rates for people who suffer sudden cardiac arrest. Senator Harkin’s amendment will help advance the mission of the American Heart Association.

ACTION NEEDED

The U.S. Senate is scheduled to vote soon, likely this evening- March 13th, on the amendment. Please take just 5 minutes to call your two United States Senators and ask them to vote in favor of Senator Harkin’s amendment. Simply dial the Capitol Hill switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask to be connected to your U.S. Senator. After being connected, ask for the health legislative assistant. If you reach his/her voicemail, leave a short message. After hanging up from that office, please call the Capitol Hill switchboard again to be connected to your second U.S. Senator.

Talking Points for your calls

Hello. May I please speak with the Health Legislative Assistant.
(please leave a message if you reach voice mail)
Hi, this is (name) from (city and state). I am a volunteer for the American Heart Association.
Please ask Senator (name) to vote in favor of Senator Harkin’s amendment to the Continuing Resolution.
Passage of this amendment will help advance the fight against heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases, the No. 1 killer in our State and the most costly illness in the U.S.
Specifically, this amendment will help the National Institutes of Health make continued progress against heart disease and stroke. Also, it will help save lives of people who suffer from sudden cardiac arrest, a particularly deadly form of heart disease. Thank you.

Please be sure to report your call in the action center.

Shaping-Up Food in Schools- Part 2

2013-03-04T15:15:00Z

Thanks to updated nutrition standards from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that went into effect last fall, school meals now have more whole grains, fruits and vegetables- and less sodium, fats, and sugars. Check out this delicious and nutritious offering from the Saint Paul Public Schools.

But right next to healthier meals like this are offerings, known as competitive foods, that don’t have to follow the same updated guidelines that school meals do. Isn’t it about time that the nutrition standards for food sold in school vending machines, a la carte lines, snack bars, and school stores are based on the latest science and nutritional needs of children?

Tell the USDA you support strong, consistent nutrition standard for all foods and drinks sold in schools.

Roughly 40% of students buy a snack at school each day, which can contribute to excess calories if kids aren’t making healthy choices, or don’t have healthy options available to them. By strengthening nutrition standards for all foods offered in the school environment, we can clear up the mixed messages kids are getting and help them ‘snack smart’.

In order to make this update happen, the USDA needs to see a strong display of public support. Over 1,200 You’re the Cure advocates have already taken action- and we need YOU to keep that tally rising.

Please take two minutes to send a message to the USDA now. Public comments will only be accepted until April 9^th.

Sequester Cuts Will Put America’s Heart Health at Risk

2013-03-01T16:50:44Z

Washington, D.C., March 1, 2013 — American Heart Association CEO Nancy Brown issued the following statement today on how the sequester cuts will endanger the nation’s heart health:

“The sequester cuts pose a serious threat to the extraordinary progress we have made in the fight against heart disease and stroke. If they are allowed to remain in place, these devastating reductions will tie the hands of heart and stroke researchers to advance lifesaving treatments and cures. They will also slash support for prevention efforts that encourage healthy behaviors and ultimately drive down our nation’s rising healthcare costs.

Under the sequester, promising research funded by the National Institutes of Health will eventually be halted, and thousands of jobs will be lost from labs that can’t afford to pay researchers without federal support. For example, the NIH’s National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke has identified nine critical priorities for stroke prevention, treatment and recovery research. But under the sequester cuts, scientists can only focus on one priority, further delaying progress in the prevention and treatment of the No. 4 cause of death in the United States.

Finally, these mandatory cuts will further reduce funding for the Prevention and Public Health Fund. As a result, communities will be denied much-needed funds to invest in cost-effective, evidence-based prevention initiatives that address public-health concerns such as childhood obesity, tobacco use, high blood pressure and cholesterol.

By 2030, more than 40 percent of Americans are projected to have some form of cardiovascular disease, annually costing this country $818 billion in direct healthcare costs and nearly $308 billion in indirect costs. Clearly, the nation’s health cannot afford to bear the brunt of the sequester cuts. We urge Congress to restore funding for the NIH and the Prevention and Public Health Fund so we can keep all Americans on the path to ideal heart health.”

As the effects of the sequester become apparent, we want to hear from you. Are you feeling the impact of NIH funding cuts? Share your story with us today!