IMPACT
By advancing on our mission to address hypertension in our city’s healthcare systems, the American Heart Association shines a spotlight on patient outcomes benefitting nearly 1.5 million New Yorkers. Through the implementation of evidence-based strategies, patient care has improved at clinical sites serving approximately 105,000 individuals.
Continuing to prioritize our focus on prevention of disease to those who need our help the most, the American Heart Association escalated our work addressing nutrition insecurity, blood pressure management and knowledge of Hands Only CPR with community partners benefiting almost 88,600 New Yorkers from under-invested neighborhoods.
New York City Year-End Report FY23
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American Heart Association in New York City launches citywide blood pressure program to help older adults take control of their heart health
On Wednesday, February 21, 2024, the Carter Burden/Leonard Covello Older Adult Program in East Harlem (312 East 109th Street) hosted a high blood pressure workshop and self-measurement demonstration for its community. In the audience were more than 25 members of the center’s older adult program, along with leaders from the American Heart Association, the New York City Department for the Aging, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and the High Blood Pressure Coalition: Take the Pressure Off, NYC!
“I had the pleasure to come to Carter Burden for this wonderful blood pressure demonstration courtesy of the American Heart Association, who gave us these monitors so that people can have the power to control their own health information between doctor’s visits,” said Lorraine A. Cortes-Vasquez, commissioner of the New York City Department for the Aging. “This will help older adults inform their doctor and stay informed in between visits.”
The workshop was part of the official launch of a new collaboration between the American Heart Association and the New York City Department for the Aging that will place self-measurement blood pressure cuffs in 10 older adult centers across the city.
American Heart Association launches new health resource guide to help employers advance workforce health equity in New York City
Health outcomes research has shown that workers in the U.S. experience inequitable health and well-being, with significant variations in the burden of chronic disease, mental health conditions, food insecurity and more across populations, even among those covered by employer-sponsored insurance.[1], [2] Recent studies demonstrate how the workplace can serve as a social driver of health, impacting the risk of conditions such as high blood pressure and heart disease.[3], [4] This growing body of evidence underscores the need to equip employers with tools and resources to positively influence the health and well-being of their workforce.[5]
To help bridge this gap, the American Heart Association, a global force for healthier lives for all, released the Health Equity in the Workforce Employer Resource Guide, developed in collaboration with the Deloitte Health Equity Institute and the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Foundation. This new resource aims to increase employers’ understanding and adoption of health equity in the workplace to help all employees reach their full health potential.
Celebrating Self-Measured Blood Pressure Program in the Bronx
We’re at the corner of Third Avenue and 140th street in the Bronx, the most diverse borough in the city and the county that ranks 62 out of 62 — last in health outcomes across all New York State! To address this disparity, in 2021 the American Heart Association began supporting a program at Damian Family Care Centers, a federally qualified health center, serving a large Latino and Black population, to launch a self-measuring blood pressure program for their patients.
We were able to meet and interview some of the team behind the program, and a patient who has been empowered to take control of his health by managing the silent killer, high blood pressure. Michael Febre, 33, is a Bronx native who lost 100 pounds since he began participating in the SMBP program. He credits the program for helping him find a healthier, more balanced lifestyle that prioritizes blood pressure measurement, exercise and healthier food choices. Michael’s physical health gains have improved his mental health as well. He says that surviving in New York City, a city known for never sleeping, can be daunting. Regularly measuring his blood pressure helped Michael remain committed to his long-term health goals.
Staten Island Food Pantry Feeds Local Residents
Located in Port Richmond, the Community Health Action of Staten Island food pantry provides access to nutritious foods, fresh fruit, and vegetables for over 2,700 community members each month.
Revising and affirming their commitment to providing healthy options, CHASI adopted an organization-wide nutrition policy that serves to better fit the needs of those who rely on the pantry and those who seek to further its success. By increasing the awareness of food access and security, CHASI and the American Heart Association continue to work together to ensure opportunities of the healthier lifestyles for everyone in the community.
Red Hook Redemption Church’s Effort to Address Nutrition Insecurity
New York’s second largest public housing complex is located in Red Hook, a waterfront community located in Brooklyn. The Red Hook NYC Housing Authority inhabits more than half of its residents, members of a community that has been geographically isolated from the rest of the city.
By systematically being cut off from the rest of Brooklyn, access to healthy and affordable food, quality healthcare and equitable housing is limited. Although there are barriers that the community faces, there are individuals and organizations that work hard to provide its fellow neighbors with opportunities. For example, Red Hook Redemption church taking charge of finding ways to bring in food for the community during the pandemic; and their initiatives have not stopped there.
Commonpoint Queens Continues to Increase Healthy Food Access for NYC Residents
Working alongside the American Heart Association, Commonpoint Queens serves its community in finding alternative ways to increase food accessibility. After adopting the Association’s Healthy Pantry Policy and receiving funding for a refrigeration unit, the pantry implemented nutrition security screenings at three of their sites. Although their efforts have shown improvement in the community, there is still more to do.
Food Bank for New York City implements Self-Measured Blood Pressure Initiative
The Food Bank for New York City (FBNYC) is the city’s largest hunger relief organization; helping to provide over 1.2 billion meals to eligible New Yorkers. Recently, one of their greatest impacts has been through their Community Kitchen in Harlem. In order to continue addressing hypertension and overall health education, FBNYC and the American Heart Association revitalized their working collaboration to launch a Self-Measured Blood Pressure Initiative to provide health services to community members.
The American Heart Association’s 2024 Goal
We’ve committed to 10 bold actions to address barriers to health equity – because all people deserve to enjoy healthy lives. Powered by our millions of volunteers and supporters, we will fulfill these Commitments by 2024.
Every person deserves the opportunity for a full, healthy life. As champions for health equity, by 2024, the American Heart Association will advance cardiovascular health for all, including identifying and removing barriers to health care access and quality.
As champions of health equity, we’re committed to advancing cardiovascular health for all. We will not stand by while people get sick.
We will advance cardiovascular health for all. We will not stand by while people suffer. We won’t watch people get sick, die young and struggle. We will not tolerate structural racism, or the many social factors that hurt people’s health in rural and urban areas alike.
Learn more about our commitment to health equity and the 2024 Impact Goals.
Invite the American Heart Association to a community event: https://easternstates.heart.org/nycspeakers/