Nation of Lifesavers Pavilion during Congressional Black Caucus Annual Conference inspiring policy change

American Heart Association convenes policymakers, survivors, advocates to address disparities in cardiac arrest survival

MEDIA ADVISORY

WHAT: The American Heart Association will host a day of policy dialogue and networking opportunities Sept. 13 during the Annual Legislative Conference of the Congressional Black Caucus. The American Heart Association Nation of Lifesavers™ Pavilion will feature substantive discussions and informative panels focused on policy solutions and other strategies designed to improve overall cardiac arrest survival rates occurring outside of the hospital setting.

The morning's events include two policy panels featuring members of Congress, scientific researchers, cardiac arrest survivors and advocates who will recount the stories of those who have experienced cardiac arrest and the importance of CPR and the use of automated external defibrillators (AED) to increasing the chances of survival. An expert panel will discuss recently published research on ways to achieve equitable outcomes for all patients.

The afternoon session will specifically highlight the lifesaving work of the National Football League's Smart Heart Sports Coalition, of which the American Heart Association is a founding member. The coalition is advocating for all 50 states to adopt evidence-based public policies to help prevent cardiac arrest deaths among high school students. A final panel will showcase four spoken-word artists debuting original performances that focus on the need to convert a nation of bystanders into a nation of lifesavers through the widespread adoption of CPR, AEDs and first aid.

WHO:

Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio)

Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.)

Dr. Bryan O. Buckley, Adjunct Assistant Professor, Georgetown University; Head of Public Health, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield; and Board Member, American Heart Association Greater Washington Region

Patrice Bullock, American Heart Association advocate and Founder, Bailey's Heart and Soul Foundation

StephMarie Cole, Spoken Word Artist

Dr. Yvonne Commodore-Mensah, Associate Professor, Johns Hopkins University
School of Nursing

Ken Edmonds, Vice President of Government Affairs, National Football League

Dr. David Goff, Jr., Director, Division of Cardiovascular Sciences,
National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute

Olandis Gary, retired National Football League player

Dr. Yolandra Hancock, Professor, Milken Institute of Public Health at George Washington University and Chair, Advocacy and Partnerships, American Heart Association Greater Washington Region

Dr. Chidinma Ibe, Associate Director of Community Engagement,
Johns Hopkins Center for Health Equity

Christoph Jenkins, CEO, Poet Life

Bo Kimble, Founder, Forty-Four for Life Foundation; retired National Basketball Association player; and CPR instructor

Jacob Mayberry, Spoken Word Artist

Ephraim Nehemiah, Spoken Word Artist

Miko Reed, Spoken Word Artist

WHERE:

HQ DC House

600 F St. NW, Washington, DC, 20004

WHEN:

Friday, September 13, 2024

8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. | Breakfast & Networking Reception

10:00 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. | Panel 1: Champions, Heroes & Survivors: Stories of Bravery & CPR

11:00 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. | Panel 2: Analyzing the Reasons African Americans & Women are More Likely to Die from Cardiac Arrest

12:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. | Nation of Lifesavers Luncheon

1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. | Spoken Word Showcase

2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. | Closing Networking Reception

MORE: Each year, more than 350,000 people in the United States experience a cardiac arrest outside of the hospital, including up to 23,000 children. Unfortunately, only 1 in 10 of those people survive. CPR, especially if performed immediately, can double or even triple a person's chances of survival.

Newly published research supported by the National Institutes of Health found that women and people who are African American have a significantly lower chance of surviving a cardiac arrest outside of a hospital than white men, even with CPR assistance. The survival rate can be three times as high for white adults than for Black adults, and twice as high for men than for women, according to the findings published in the American Heart Association journal Circulation. Prior research has also found that Black and Hispanic adults are less likely to receive potentially lifesaving CPR assistance, especially in public spaces. People who are African American and Latino are 30% to 50% less likely to have CPR performed by someone nearby.

The American Heart Association has set a goal of doubling survival from cardiac arrest outside of a hospital by 2030. The Association's Nation of Lifesavers initiative is working to turn bystanders into lifesavers, so that everyone, everywhere is prepared and empowered to respond in the case of a cardiac emergency.

The Association is working at the federal, state and local level to advocate for evidence-based public policies that will increase the chance of survival from cardiac arrest. Bipartisan legislation in both houses of Congress would establish a grant program for schools nationwide to increase CPR training, improve access to AEDs and create cardiac emergency response plans. As a founding member of the Smart Heart Sports Coalition, the Association is also championing legislation in more than 40 states to implement cardiac emergency response plans in schools.

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About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public's health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for a century. During 2024 - our Centennial year - we celebrate our rich 100-year history and accomplishments as we forge ahead into our second century of bold discovery and impact. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.

For Media Inquiries:

Name: Arielle Beer; [email protected]

For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)

heart.org and stroke.org