Here’s what we’re advocating for in the Greater Washington Region and how you can get involved
Washington, D.C. and Arlington, Va. made headlines for ranking among 2026’s healthiest cities in the United States. Individual behaviors like exercise, healthy eating, sleeping and nonsmoking were major contributors.
However, gaps remain. 36% of people in the DMV region report not knowing where their next meal will come from. Across D.C., Maryland and Virginia, about 30% of adults have high blood pressure. And more than 8% of Washingtonian adults are tobacco smokers.
To improve the health and wellbeing of communities across the Greater Washington Region, we need to increase access to healthy meals in schools and beyond while decreasing the influence of tobacco, make it easier for diners to understand the nutrition value of their meals and ensure students in the region can continue learning CPR before graduation so they are prepared to save a life.
These are our policy priorities for the next year in Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia, and Prince George’s and Montgomery County, Maryland.
Washington, D.C.
- CPR in Schools Implementation Funding: Secure funding for schools to continue implementing skill-based CPR training, which adheres to national guidelines for high school graduation.
- Healthy School Meals for All: Support expansion of healthy school meals with funding that provides healthy school meals for all students in all schools. (MD & VA state-level campaigns as well)
- Healthy Food Access and Infrastructure: Expand healthy food incentive programs, including SNAP, and programs that increase fruit and vegetable consumption to prevent and treat diet-related chronic diseases. Additionally, protect and fund the Food Policy Office, a key coordinating body for nutrition security policy, initiatives, public reporting and cross-sector collaboration.
- Tobacco Retail Licensure: Strengthen licensure standards for retailers of tobacco products and electronic smoking devices in order to ensure minimum legal sales age is being enforced, flavor restrictions are being followed and where applicable, taxes are being collected.
- Tobacco Control Funding: Secure funding for comprehensive tobacco prevention and cessation programs to prevent youth initiation, support quitting and ensure effective enforcement of tobacco control policies.
- Paid Family and Medical Leave: Support and protect policies that ensure employees have access to paid family and medical leave to care for themselves or loved ones during major life events, serious health conditions, and the birth, adoption or fostering of a child.
Maryland
- Restaurant Nutrient Warning Labels: Establish warning menu icons in chain restaurants for food items with high sodium and/or added sugars content in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties.
Virginia
- Tobacco Retail Restriction Near Schools: Support zoning policies in Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William’s counties that prevent new tobacco retail locations from opening near schools.
There are many opportunities to get involved! Visit heartpowered.org to learn more and signup for updates and action alerts.