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Heart Attack and Stroke Symptoms

Advocate Spotlight: Zaynab Shaheed

The harmful impacts of tobacco have deeply influenced my life and ignited my passion for advocacy with the American Heart Association. My commitment stems from personal experiences and the negligence I’ve observed in addressing these critical issues:

During high school in the inner city of Cleveland, I witnessed peers engaging in smoking behaviors with both tobacco/nicotine-containing products and cannabis. I was disturbed by the lack of a direct response from school administration, which highlighted a greater issue: the accessibility of these products and the addiction they foster, ultimately harming my generation.

In 2019, I lost my great uncle to his addiction to tobacco. I saw him on life support just days before his passing. This experience profoundly impacted me. I mourn not only his loss but also the opportunity to know him, to learn about his life and to connect with him in meaningful ways.

With the Association’s guiding values as my foundation, I advocate passionately to inspire commitment to this critical cause. I aim to speak from my experiences to build a trustworthy voice, foster partnerships within the community and meet people where they are. Alongside the amazing American Heart Association team, I am relentless in my pursuit of a world of longer, healthier lives.

As an aspiring physician, I plan to leverage my community to drive impactful changes in health equity and overall well-being. My goal is to implement patient-centered care that creates lasting health outcomes. Beginning in Fall 2025, I will pursue a Master of Public Health with a concentration in Health Policy. My vision is to identify barriers to equitable representation in health policy, establish accountability metrics for systemic infrastructure and ensure sustainable practices for better health outcomes in underrepresented communities.

Through advocacy, education and policy development, I am dedicated to ensuring that future generations are safeguarded from the devastating effects of tobacco addiction.