Excess cardiovascular mortality and years of potential life lost suffered by Black Americans in 2023 have returned to pre-pandemic levels, but this patient population continues to experience "profound and disproportionate cardiovascular mortality" when compared to White Americans, according to a brief update to the "JACC Report Card on Excess Cardiovascular Mortality Among Black Americans 2000-2022," published June 19 in JACC. The report brings awareness to the disparities Black Americans face in poor cardiovascular health outcomes as the country recognizes Juneteenth.

Using mortality data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Wide-ranging ONline Data for Epidemiologic Research (WONDER), Adith S. Arun, BS, et al., estimated excess age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs) and excess years of potential life lost (YPLL) in Black vs. White Americans for overall cardiovascular disease and four subtypes: ischemic heart disease, hypertension, cerebrovascular disease and heart failure.

When looking at overall cardiovascular disease in 2023, excess AAMR was 89.6 per 100,000 women and 153.9 per 100,000 men. Excess YPLL in 2023 was 435,184 among women and 591,992 among men. These findings show a decrease in excess mortality consistent with pre-pandemic levels indicating some improvement; however, racial disparities remain substantial.

"The persistently high burden of YPLL is a striking reminder that efforts to close these gaps must accelerate," note Arun and colleagues. "This update reinforces the value of continued monitoring and provides a clear metric of progress, or lack thereof, in achieving cardiovascular mortality equity."

In addition, a JACC Leadership Page also published June 19 focuses on the urgent need for action in addressing social determinants of health to advance health equity and alleviate cardiovascular disease burden across the globe.

ACC President Christopher M. Kramer, MD, FACC, and ACC Chief Health Equity Advancement and Inclusion Officer Melvin R. Echols, MD, FACC, outline how health equity plays an integral role in the College's efforts to achieve its Mission to transform cardiovascular care and improve heart health for all.

ACC's action plan to embed health equity throughout its programs and initiatives center around six key domains: 1) health care data, science and tools; 2) workforce representation; 3) education and training; 4) membership partnerships and collaborations; 5) community advocacy and policy; and 6) clinical trial diversity.

The letter details health equity efforts present throughout the College, from initiatives like the NCD Academy to the Young Scholars and Global Leadership Institute and partnerships like the Caring Hearts program. ACC's advocacy efforts in support of increased funding to advance cardiovascular research and policy reforms to reduce administrative burdens on clinicians are also highlighted.

"The ACC remains steadfast in its commitment to advancing health equity and driving collective, sustained action to ensure 'every person reaches their full cardiovascular health potential as a natural right,'" write Kramer and Echols. "Ultimately, excellence in cardiovascular care cannot be realized without equity."