Massachusetts

South Asians are often underrepresented in cardiovascular health studies, despite being at higher risk for heart disease and stroke. To shed light on this issue, the American Heart Association has launched a webinar series called “Community Conversations on South Asian Heart Health.” Each month, leading experts will discuss the unique health challenges faced by South Asian communities. The conversations will be moderated by Dr. Ami Bhatt, a cardiologist and member of the American Heart Association's Board of Directors in Greater Boston. This series is open to the general public, healthcare professionals, and researchers who want to learn about the latest advancements in heart disease and stroke prevention, treatment, and research, with a special focus on the health of people of South Asian descent.

Have Faith in Heart is a health education and awareness initiative of the American Heart Association in partnership with churches, community-based organizations, and community health centers in Greater Boston. The goal of Have Faith in Heart is to improve health outcomes through a focus on hypertension awareness and control and health education in faith-based settings.

The initiative focuses on populations with the highest hypertension rates, communities of color particularly Black/African Americans and Hispanic/Latinx communities. Targeted communities include neighborhoods of Dorchester, Mattapan, Roxbury, East Boston, and Hyde Park and cities of Lowell, Lynn, Lawrence, Brockton, and Springfield that are predominately African American/Black, African Caribbean, Hispanic, communities of color, have low-socioeconomic status, or are in an under-resourced zip-code. Faith-based organizations in other neighborhoods and cities are encouraged to apply.

The American Heart Association works with community-based organizations by leveraging our science, resources, and experience to provide evidence-based initiatives. We work with organizations trusted by their communities to bring tools and resources into communities in need. And now we hope to do more of the same – with our faith-based communities.

Opportunities include, but are not limited to:

• Empowering members to know their blood pressure numbers through bi-weekly blood pressure screenings
• Obtaining an AED for their facility
• Fostering CPR training and cardiac emergency response planning for your community

If you are a faith-based organization interested in being a part of Have Faith in Heart, please submit your application by clicking below.

Applications are open until September 30, 2025. Upon receipt of applications, AHA Community Impact Staff will review and invite qualified faith-based organizations for an interview. Click below to apply!

The American Heart Association stands with our communities by advocating for laws and policies that help people access care, avoid tobacco and eat healthier.

The moving force behind these efforts are our You’re the Cure advocates. These are Americans from all walks of life who advocate for legislative and regulatory policies in Massachusetts and across the country.

You can make a difference by lending your voice to this cause. Join the You’re the Cure network today by visiting yourethecure.org/join.

To learn more about our advocacy work, contact Allyson Perron, our senior state government relations lead, at [email protected].

The American Heart Association is honored to be working with some of the most passionate companies in Massachusetts. These supporters are vital to helping us achieve our mission.

To get your company involved in Greater Boston, contact Jessica Berretta, our vice president of development, at [email protected].

To get involved in Central Massachusetts, contact Sabrina Webb, our development director in that region, at [email protected].

The American Heart Association is committed to creating more equitable health outcomes in Massachusetts through five key priority areas: women, tobacco and vaping, patients, addressing community need and healthy living. Equity is always at the center of our work, and it will continue to guide all that we do.

Through our focus on these impact areas, and in collaboration with local organizations, sponsors, businesses, and others that serve the community, we are removing barriers to health care access and quality so everyone can enjoy a full, healthy life.

To learn more about this work, contact Stephanie Voltaire, our community impact director, at [email protected].

Have you or someone you care about suffered from heart disease or stroke? Give hope to others by sharing your story.

At the American Heart Association, we often receive requests from the media, companies, schools and other organizations for individuals to share their stories. These stories help us spread awareness and provide hope.

To share your story, contact Chris Camire, our marketing and communications director, at [email protected].