Boston’s recently passed budget includes several investments to address health equity in the city, including new bike lanes, reconstructed sidewalks and discounted fruits and vegetables for residents who receive government food assistance. These investments are just some of the initiatives the American Heart Association advocated for to improve the health of the city’s 700,000 residents
BOSTON – The Massachusetts Senate voted on Thursday to support a bill that would ensure stroke patients get the best treatment as quickly as possible. The bill, which passed in a 40-0 vote, would allow first responders to transport stroke patients to the facilities best-equipped to treat them, rather than the closest, ensuring they immediately
A single piece of legislation, if passed, could save as many as 500 lives a year in Massachusetts, according to a UMass Memorial Medical Center doctor, reports the Telegram & Gazette in a story published on Tuesday. The Worcester-based newspaper interviewed Dr. Joseph Sabato, an emergency medicine physician and American Heart Association volunteer, who argued
Because of the dedication of AHA supporters and volunteers statewide, it was a landmark year of public policy achievements for cardiovascular health in the Commonwealth of Virginia. These successes demonstrate that constituents have the power to make significant change when they join in the fight against heart disease and stroke. “As a stroke survivor and
Law will prevent Big Tobacco from targeting kids and minorities in underserved communities BOSTON, May 30, 2020 – On June 1, Massachusetts will take a bold step in protecting future generations from a lifetime of deadly tobacco addiction, when it becomes the first state in the nation to remove harmful menthol, mint and wintergreen tobacco
Across Massachusetts, families and individuals are struggling with food insecurity. We know the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can help alleviate this issue by enabling participants to stretch their food dollars and purchase healthier foods. We want to thank the state Legislature and Gov. Charlie Baker for prioritizing funding for food insecurity issues in the
My name is Olivia Richardson and I am a two-time stroke survivor, former LVAD patient, and heart-transplant recipient. I was first diagnosed with cardiomyopathy and had my first stroke at the age of 25. This was a shock to me because I had always been an athlete and been healthy all my life. After my
The cornavirus crisis has exposed gaps in the treatment of stroke patients in Massachusetts. The health care system is straining right now. Unfortunately, strokes continue to happen. Stroke kills 2,370 people in Massachusetts per year and leaves many more with long-term disabilities. Stroke victims need the best care possible. In Massachusetts, first responders are required
ANNAPOLIS, Md. – March 18, 2020 – Today the Maryland General Assembly took an important stand to protect public health by increasing funding for tobacco control and cessation programs and raising the state tobacco tax. The American Heart Association applauds the General Assembly for making such a significant investment in tobacco programs to combat the
On February 26, nearly 100 advocates from across Rhode Island descended on the State House to participate in our Tobacco-Free Generation Advocacy Day – an event that the American Heart Association co-hosted with the American Lung Association, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network and Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. As part of the day’s activities, advocates