Advocacy Spotlight

American Heart Association - American Heart Month 

In honor of American Heart Month, NAHAC is proud to highlight the American Heart Association, the AHA, and its advocacy efforts. With a mission to be a relentless force for a world of longer, heathier lives, the AHA is celebrating their 100th Anniversary since its founding in 1924 with a focus on combatting heart disease and stroke. Perhaps, somewhat less known is that in 1981, the AHA established a permanent advocacy office in Washington, DC. For more than 40 years, the advocacy efforts have evolved with volunteers in every state. The AHA Advocacy initiatives are targeted at influencing policies both at the federal level and the state level. There are volunteer advocates in every US state. Advocates engage in many federal and state efforts, including securing funding for heart and stroke research, implementing nutritional programs, expanding access to healthcare for all including the promotion of active living and expanding prevention programs such as tobacco cessation.

Your work as an Independent Patient / Health Care Advocate has evolved, in part, from the excellent advocacy efforts of organizations such as the AHA who have come before us. More information on AHA Advocacy can be found on the AHA website at: https://www.heart.org/en/get-involved/advocate.