Office of Health Equity
Leveraging diversity, equity and inclusion to drive the AHA's mission to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives.
About the Office of Health Equity
The American Heart Association created the Office of Health Equity in 2018 following an 18-month in depth review by a volunteer-driven task force. The Office of Health Equity houses the following:
- Our Social Impact Fund, which invests in local entrepreneurs, small businesses and organizations that are breaking down the social and economic barriers to healthy lives.
- The Bernard J. Tyson Fund, which powers the AHA’s goal to reduce health disparities and address social determinants of health so all people have the opportunity to live longer, healthier lives.
- Our Diversity and Inclusion, Health Equity Strategies and Partnerships teams.
We also support our Empowered to Serve™ initiatives which include Empowered Scholars, local and national EmPOWERED to Serve ™Business Accelerator, Interactive Virtual Health Lessons and our Community Innovation Exchange™.
EmPOWERED Women Roundtable Series
CPR and Opioid Use in Communities of Color
In honor of Women’s History Month, the American Heart Association hosted the EmPOWERED Women CPR and Opioid Use in Communities of Color roundtable in March. The livestream event focused on CPR, as studies have shown significant disparities in bystander CPR rates for people of color and women, as well as opioid misuse among women of color.
Building Mental Resilience for Women of Color in the Midst of COVID-19
As a part of National Minority Health Month, the American Heart Association hosted a roundtable about how racism, cultural stereotypes, economic insecurity, stigma and shame all impact the mental health of women of color.
Black women suffer disproportionately from adverse life experiences that can lead to depression, anxiety disorders and toxic levels of chronic stress.
Maternal Heart Health and Why Gaps Exist
Motherhood and heart health go together.
The American Heart Association’s EmPOWERED Women’s Roundtable in May will focus on how the disparities Black, Hispanic, Latina and Indigenous women experience during and after pregnancy affect heart health. Tuesday, May 11 at 7 p.m. CT online.
Committing to equity and a full, healthy life for everyone
The American Heart Association is investing over $230 million in a sweeping effort to ensure equitable health for all. Through research, community solutions and other substantial work, the AHA is addressing barriers to health equity including structural racism, social factors that hurt people’s health and threats to rural health.
February's Black History Month Activities
During February, we recognized the legacy of Black Americans who laid the foundation for the activists, health care professionals, social entrepreneurs and everyday heroes — and celebrate Black Americans who are making history every day.
Throughout the month, we highlighted the communities, small businesses, social entrepreneurs and innovators who continue to build a legacy of positive change through our business accelerator, scholarship program and impact investments.
Position Statements
The American Heart Association issues statements and advisories on health equity, social justice and structural racism. Here are some of our recent position statements.
Featured Statements
- Joint statement on health equity, social justice and civil unrest from the Association of Black Cardiologists, the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology
- What do the lives – and deaths – of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery mean for the health of Blacks in America?
- American Heart Association issues call to action for addressing inequities in rural health
- Read More
Select science statements and conference presentations
The American Heart Association is a science-based organization whose core research programs have launched or furthered the work of many of this country’s brightest researchers. We have scientific statements and conference proceedings that address health equity-related issues. Find highlights here.
Science Statements
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Structural racism causes poor health, premature death from heart disease and stroke American Heart Association Presidential Advisory
- Addressing Social Determinants of Health in the Care of Patients With Heart Failure: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association
- Social Determinants of Risk and Outcomes for Cardiovascular Disease: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association
- Importance of Housing and Cardiovascular Health and Well-Being: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association
- Assessing and Addressing Cardiovascular Health in LGBTQ Adults
- Racial bias and discrimination may negatively impact heart disease care, risk factors (Conference Presentation)
Policy Positions
The AHA has published policy positions on many issues related to health equity, including affordable, accessible healthcare, social determinants of health, access to healthy affordable foods, children’s health and others. A full set of our policy positions is here.COVID-19
The American Heart Association is working with researchers, medical experts, community leaders, businesses, families and more to reduce the impact of the coronavirus. The following are some ways we’re dedicating our resources to make a difference.
Diversity Leadership Committee
The Diversity Leadership Committee comprises of volunteer leaders who advise the AHA and our Board of Directors on issues related to diversity, equity and inclusion.
Take Action
Help us fight health disparities. Become involved in one of our initiatives today.
Invest in Health Equity
Health Ecosystems: Housing Security and Heart Health
The American Heart Association is a national leader in addressing health equity and social determinants of health. Housing security is an essential element of community health and well-being. Studies show that living in lower socio-economic areas is associated with a 30% to 90% higher risk of coronary heart disease, independent of individual characteristics including age and economic status.
