Cardiovascular Disease and Hispanics Education Initiative (2017-23)

As part of an ongoing commitment to promote health equity and quality, the National Hispanic Medical Association (NHMA) has partnered with Amgen to increase awareness among key policymakers, patient advocates, and healthcare providers specially focusing on the prevalence of cardiovascular disease in the Hispanic community.  

NHMA encourages social media efforts among our network, to spotlight our physicians, and other digital materials to increase awareness, especially with patients who have had an MI or have high cholesterol. 

Policy Statement 

Hispanics are at high risk for cardiovascular disease and coronary heart disease. Over half of Hispanic adults have received a diagnosis of cardiovascular disease. The presence of risk factors such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol in the Hispanic community further increases the chances for health implications. Due to this, the National Hispanic Medical Association and the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators have joined together to urge governors and the National Governors Association to study and report cardiovascular health and challenges facing healthcare providers and patients due to delayed or suboptimal treatments for cardiovascular disease in historically marginalized populations.

• View and Download CVD Statement

Advocacy Meetings 

As part of NHMA commitment to improve health equity, NHMA staff coordinated advocacy meetings in targeted Hispanic states: California, Texas, New York and Florida. Through legislation and education, the advocacy focus was to improve access to care and innovative therapies, prevention and education of consumers and physicians to provide cultural and linguistically competent care for Hispanic patients. 

Past Events

• "NHMA Cardiovascular Focus Group Webinar" Speakers included: Johanna Contreras, MD, FACC, FAHA; Gladys Velarde, MD, FACC, FAHA. 
•  "HHS Response to COVID-19: Efforts for Latinos with Heart and Lung Disease." Speakers included: Senator Bob Menendez (NJ); Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25); Gladys Velarde, MD, FACC, FAHA; and Jerome Adams, MD, MPH. Participants included several congressional offices, their staff, and national advocates, as well as physicians and other health professionals.

Cardiovascular Resources

For more information and access to resources related to cardiovascular disease for patients and healthcare providers, please visit NHMA's bilingual resource hub Hispanichealth.info   

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