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Addressing Structural Racism Through Public Policy Advocacy: A Policy Statement From the American Heart Association
Key result
The AHA targets structural racism to reduce health disparities in its new 2024 impact goal.
Why the study?
Increasing health disparities and overwhelming evidence of the damaging effect of structural racism on cardiovascular and stroke health prompted the need for public policy strategies to advance health equity.
Key Points
Key points are not available for this paper at this time.
Design
American Heart Association policy statement
Key expert perspectives
Captured external expert commentary on this paper, strongest first. Original sources are linked where available.
“Improving health outcomes in communities of color is imperative and requires addressing strategic public policy shifts at the intersection of structural discrimination and health equity, including but not limited to public health institutions and data infrastructure, health information technology and civic engagement. This statement has more than 60 policy ideas intended to help serve as a framework or template among collaborators at national and even international levels.”
“Removing barriers to health equity will require ongoing, specific and collaborative efforts. We welcome and call for a broad coalition of stakeholders across disciplines and industries to address structural racism in both policy and practice. The American Heart Association commits to being a leader and an ally in improving social determinants of health and tackling the root causes of health inequities.”
Implication
May shape equity-focused cardiovascular policy and research; leaves open effects on reducing disparities.
Abstract
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the American Heart Association created a new 2024 Impact Goal with health equity at its core, in recognition of the increasing health disparities in our country and the overwhelming evidence of the damaging effect of structural racism on cardiovascular and stroke health. Concurrent with the announcement of the new Impact Goal was the release of an American Heart Association presidential advisory on structural racism, recognizing racism as a fundamental driver of health disparities and directing the American Heart Association to advance antiracist strategies regarding science, business operations, leadership, quality improvement, and advocacy. This policy statement builds on the call to action put forth in our presidential advisory, discussing specific opportunities to leverage public policy in promoting overall well-being and rectifying those long-standing structural barriers that impede the progress that we need and seek for the health of all communities. Although this policy statement discusses difficult aspects of our past, it is meant to provide a forward-looking blueprint that can be embraced by a broad spectrum of stakeholders who share the association’s commitment to addressing structural racism and realizing true health equity.
Discussion
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Cite This Study
Albert et al. (2024) studied this question. The American Heart Association aims to address structural racism as a fundamental driver of health disparities through a new 2024 Impact Goal centered on health equity.