Recognizing the rise of cardiovascular disease as the world's leading cause of preventable death and disability and as the global public health crisis of our generation and supporting the recognition of February 2021, as "American Heart Month".

IV 117TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. RES. 128 Recognizing the rise of cardiovascular disease as the world’s leading cause of preventable death and disability and as the global public health crisis of our generation and supporting the recognition of February 2021, as ‘‘American Heart Month’’. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FEBRUARY 15, 2021 Mr. SMITH of New Jersey (for himself and Mrs. BEATTY) submitted the fol- lowing resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the com- mittee concerned RESOLUTION Recognizing the rise of cardiovascular disease as the world’s leading cause of preventable death and disability and as the global public health crisis of our generation and supporting the recognition of February 2021, as ‘‘Amer- ican Heart Month’’. Whereas the World Health Organization estimates that in 2017, 17,800,000 people died from cardiovascular dis- eases (CVDs) globally; Whereas of these deaths, 85 percent were due to heart at- tacks and strokes and over three-quarters of CVD deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries; VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:14 Feb 16, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR128.IH HR128 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 2 •HRES 128 IH Whereas CVDs result in tremendous health care costs and lost productivity and, if not addressed, the United States alone will spend over $1,000,000,000,000 by 2035 on costs relating to CVD; Whereas educational attainment, household income, residen- tial environment, access to health care, and structural racism contribute significantly to disparities in CVD mor- tality in the United States; Whereas the global COVID–19 pandemic poses significantly high risk to individuals with CVD and risk factors; Whereas the heavy burden of death and disability from CVDs can be decreased through changes in behavior linked to major risk factors, including reduced tobacco use and salt consumption and improvements in access to medical treatment and services; Whereas essential quality-assured medicines and technologies are critical components to address the global burden of CVDs; and Whereas United States leadership and support has strength- ened surveillance, enhanced workforce capacity, and pro- vided valuable technical exchanges in the area of CVD: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 1 (1) supports recognition of American Heart 2 Month to bring awareness to the cardiovascular dis- 3 ease (CVD) public health crisis in the United States 4 and abroad; 5 VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:14 Feb 16, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\HR128.IH HR128 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 3 •HRES 128 IH (2) recognizes and reaffirms the commitment of 1 the United States to fighting cardiovascular disease 2 by— 3 (A) promoting awareness about the causes, 4 risks, and prevention of cardiovascular disease; 5 (B) supporting research on cardiovascular 6 disease, including disparities in cardiovascular 7 disease morbidity and mortality with respect to 8 race, ethnicity, and other social determinants of 9 health; 10 (C) equitably expanding access to afford- 11 able, quality care to reduce long-term disability 12 and mortality; and 13 (D) strengthening the Nation’s public 14 health infrastructure to support prevention, 15 preparedness, and responsiveness to ongoing 16 threats to health; 17 (3) urges the deployment of United States tech- 18 nical expertise on CVDs in support of developing ca- 19 pacities and strengthening health care systems and 20 public health infrastructure of other countries; 21 (4) values the quality of life for CVD patients 22 around the world and their reintegration to society; 23 (5) calls on the Department of State, the 24 United States Agency for International Develop- 25 VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:14 Feb 16, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\HR128.IH HR128 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 4 •HRES 128 IH ment, and the Centers for Disease Control and Pre- 1 vention, to— 2 (A) comprehensively examine the impact of 3 CVDs on health and development in United 4 States priority assistance countries; and 5 (B) develop a coordinated strategy that im- 6 proves the effectiveness and impact of United 7 States-financed global health programming by 8 integrating CVD into existing programs; 9 (6) commends the efforts of States, territories, 10 and possessions of the United States, localities, non- 11 profit organizations, businesses and other entities, 12 and the people of the United States who support 13 American Heart Month; and 14 (7) encourages every individual in the United 15 States to learn about his or her risk for cardio- 16 vascular disease. 17 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:14 Feb 16, 2021 Jkt 019200 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\HR128.IH HR128 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS