From the American Heart Association

The latest from the American Heart Association:

What Does 2009 Hold for Heart Disease and Stroke?

Come January, newly elected President Barack Obama and the 111^th Congress will face extraordinarily difficult times – our country is waging two wars, grappling with the worst economic struggles since the Great Depression, and anticipates an annual budget deficit that could top $1 trillion. But challenges can also present new opportunities.

One of those new opportunities could be comprehensive health care reform. The ranks of the uninsured – and the underinsured – are growing daily, as workers lose their jobs and often their health insurance. We are hearing from increasing numbers of advocates who are struggling to pay for necessary doctors’ visits, preventive tests, and lifesaving medicines. President-elect Obama and key leaders in Congress have indicated that health care reform will be one of their top priorities for the coming year. Key Senators may introduce health care reform legislation as early as January.

Already, we have reached out to lawmakers and President-elect Obama to express our desire to work with them on a comprehensive health reform plan that provides quality, affordable health care to all Americans and places greater emphasis on preventing disease.

We will also continue to move the heart disease and stroke agenda forward. We are pushing for additional research funding for the National Institutes of Health as part of anticipated future economic stimulus packages and for progress in meeting the needs of kids with heart disease and stroke as part of legislation to reauthorize the State Children’s Health Insurance Program.

2009 is shaping up to be an extraordinarily busy one for health care legislation. We are going to need your help to reinvent health care and to make progress on other key initiatives. Stay tuned for updates and ways you can help advance the heart health agenda in the year ahead.

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VA Advocate Honored by State General Assembly

In October, State Delegate Bob Hull and the Virginia General Assembly presented a joint resolution honoring the tremendous commitment and dedication of Paul Berger, the 2007 American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Advocate of the Year. As a stroke survivor and an active You’re the Cure advocate, Paul has used his story of survival to inspire others, raise awareness, and affect policy change on the state and federal levels. While Paul and his wife, Stephanie Mench, say they were surprised by the honor, their friends at the AHA/ASA could not think of a more deserving champion in the fight against heart disease and stroke.

On July 22, Paul and Stephanie participated in the Advancing America’s Priorities Act press conference organized by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to highlight important pieces of legislation under Senate consideration, including the STOP Stroke Act. On behalf of 5.8 million Americans living with the aftermath of stoke, Paul and Stephanie spoke about the need for Congress to pass this vital piece of legislation.

“This was a small way we could participate in the process, and we look forward to continuing to advocate for the AHA/ASA,” said Stephanie, who was by Paul’s side and was able to offer the unique perspective of a caregiver.

A Senate committee passed the bill in March; however, competing priorities prevented the STOP Stroke Act from being considered by the full Senate this session.

Congratulations to Paul on this exciting honor and thank you for the difference you and Stephanie are making in the lives of stroke survivors and their families. Keep up the great work!

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Bring Wear Red Day to Your Workplace!

Friday, February 6, 2009 is National Wear Red Day, a day when Americans nationwide will take women’s health to heart by wearing red to show their support for women’s heart disease awareness.

Go Red For Women invites you to show your support in your workplace by having a Wear Red Day event that day, any other day in February, or all month long! They’ve made it simple- start by visiting www.GoRedForWomen.org/WearRedDay and registering as a Wear Red Day Coordinator/Host. You’ll get free, downloadable tools (available in the confirmation email Go Red will send you) to help you plan and execute your Wear Red Day.

Then, present the idea to your supervisor, internal communications staff or Human Resources representative. The Wear Red Day Toolkit includes talking points on the benefits of having employees Go Red. Your efforts will be a great way to raise awareness and help us fight our No. 1 killer – heart disease.