Washington

As a relentless force for longer, healthier lives, the American Heart Association Washington team joins forces with local organizations and clinics to advocate for and increase health equity.

Our collective efforts address pervasive drivers of health disparities, including discrimination and inadequate access to nutrition and quality health care. This work helps equip communities with the systems, resources and health education to achieve optimal heart health.

Throughout Washington State, our efforts to create avenues for greater access to care, increase access to nutritious, culturally relevant foods, develop blood pressure self-measuring programs and tobacco and e-cigarette education and prevention have impacted the lives of millions of Washingtonians. The pursuit of health equity requires listening, collaboration and coordination. We continue to evolve our efforts as we learn from volunteers, supporters and partners to best support our community.

What did donors and volunteers like you help us accomplish during our last fiscal year? Check out our Community Impact Year in Review to see the amazing impact of your donations.

Explore our full report highlighting our goals and impact priorities to improve the health of Puget Sound.

Advocacy has held a mission-critical role in the Association's work for more than 40 years. Our legislative priorities at the local, state and federal levels support the enactment of evidence-based public policies, systems and environmental changes that lead to longer, healthier lives, free of cardiovascular disease. Our efforts in Washington communities are focused on five major policy areas. Our advocacy priorities are: Tobacco Free, Quality Systems of Care, Healthy Eating, Active Living and Access to Care. You can support our efforts by joining our You’re The Cure network of volunteer advocates at yourethecure.org.

Learning your child has a heart defect can be an uncertain and scary time for a family. According to studies in 2010 and 2011, an estimated minimum of 40,000 infants are expected to be affected by congenital cardiovascular defects each year in the United States. Your family is not alone. The American Heart Association is investing in research to further our understanding of CHDs and supporting families like yours who are caring for a young heart patient. Our Heart to Heart: CHD Resources page for WA Families and Caregivers has more information.

When someone has a cardiac arrest, immediate CPR is critical and can double or triple a person’s chance of survival. According to American Heart Association research, 68% of Asian American adults surveyed said they would hesitate to perform Hands-Only CPR because they worry they might harm the person suffering cardiac arrest. Read more about American Heart Association Puget Sound, VP Community Impact Al Tsai’s personal experience with cardiac arrest and his message of encouragement for others to learn CPR.