On Tuesday September 16, advocates joined the virtual American Heart Association Advocacy Kickoff to hear about last year’s successes and the opportunities to be involved in 2025-26.
Last year, we successfully advocated with community organizations, parents, and childcare providers for increased funding in the New York City FY26 Budget for early childhood education programs that established new access for infants/toddlers, expanded extended day programs, and increased outreach for families. We also joined nutrition advocates to support increased funding for incentive programs that make fresh fruits and vegetables more accessible for families.
Until the end of the legislative session, we will be focused on two bills that will help improve cardiovascular health for New Yorkers.
We are excited to work with 39 Council Members and more than 100 organizations who are supportive of Int. 0641-2024, which would establish nutritional standards for children’s meals sold at restaurants in the city.
We are also calling on Speaker Adrienne E. Adams and New York City Council leadership to hold a hearing on Int.1152-2024 by the end of the calendar year. This legislation would restrict the sale of harmful and deadly menthol cigarettes. Let City Council know that they should support this legislation: American Heart Association Heart Powered | You can help end the sale of menthol tobacco in NYC!
Kicking off 2026 we will focus on three budget priorities that will help improve cardiac arrest survival, heart disease, and stroke.
- $500,000 for funding to fully implement CPR in Schools training in every New York City high school.
- $1 million in funding to improve access to evidence-based strategies that address high blood pressure.
- Increased funding for initiatives and programs like Health Bucks that make fresh fruits and vegetables more accessible and affordable for families.
Thank you to everyone who joined and made the advocacy kickoff our most successful one yet!