Heart of Health Policy | The ACC recently hosted a retreat to help shape the College’s Population Health Policy agenda. The meeting convened ACC members and a diverse array of experts from government agencies, universities, medical specialty societies and private sector partners to discuss primary prevention, health equity and social determinants of health, the changing health care landscape, and the role of primary care professionals in advancing cardiovascular health. Speakers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, CVS Health, Harvard Medical School, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) – including Karen DeSalvo, MD, MPH, MSc, acting assistant secretary for health at HHS – Walmart, the White House and more, talked about how their organizations are making strides in reducing heart disease. During the keynote address, Valentin Fuster, MD, PhD, MACC, shared his views about why cardiologists must go the extra mile by working with partners to change the landscape and improve patient health through the lifespan.

Moving forward, the discussions will be used to create the College’s Population Health agenda. The agenda – which will include elements of primary and secondary prevention and specific goals and targets related to diet, nutrition and exercise – will be presented later this year to the Board of Trustees. Stay tuned for more information.

Keywords: Diet, Health Policy, Primary Prevention, Secondary Prevention, Goals

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