News

April 4, 2017

American Heart Association Advocates Call on Leaders to Keep Public Health Programs

Today, the American Heart Association activated its volunteer advocate network to call on leaders in the state Legislature to ensure that a proposed 20 percent decrease in public health programs be stopped.

“We cannot let the final budget negotiations jeopardize the hypertension and obesity prevention programs, or any chronic and infectious disease prevention efforts for underserved New Yorkers,” said Kristin Salvi, New York State government relations director for the American Heart Association.

“Obesity and high blood pressure are two huge risk factors for heart disease and stroke, the No. 1 and No. 5 killers in America,” Salvi said. “New York spends $11.8 billion in obesity-related health-care costs. It would be detrimental to all New Yorkers to cut prevention measures.”

Advocates from across the state called Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan to ask that these programs be maintained.

“Many of our advocates have experienced or seen the effects of heart disease and stroke on their loved ones,” Salvi said. “They are committed to improving heart and brain health in the Empire State, and called on our leadership to make sure New York continues to minimize the impact of devastating illnesses. We urge Speaker Heastie and Leader Flanagan to stand with us in making good health a reality in New York.”