The American Heart Association's Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Health Initiative™ is making significant strides in addressing the complex interplay between heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, and obesity across 15 U.S. regions. This ambitious program, bolstered by leading healthcare sponsors, plans to enroll 150 healthcare sites, with the potential to transform the lives of over a quarter-million patients through enhanced awareness, screening, and treatment strategies for cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome.
Regions such as Atlanta, Baton Rouge, San Diego, along with newly included areas like the Bronx and Brooklyn, Miami, and Las Vegas, have been selected for this initiative based on their high disease prevalence and specific community health needs. This move comes in response to a public health emergency declared due to the alarming rise in CKM syndrome rates, with a startling statistic revealing that only 10% of U.S. adults are in excellent CKM health.
Dr. Chiadi Ndumele, who chairs the initiative's advisory group, highlights the critical opportunity this program presents to elevate CKM health nationwide. By fostering collaborative care models and implementing evidence-based therapies, the initiative aims to bridge gaps in patient care. Additionally, it seeks to connect individuals with essential community resources to tackle health-related social needs, further emphasizing the holistic approach to patient wellness.
For those seeking more information on CKM health, resources are available at heart.org/myCKMhealth. Healthcare organizations interested in participating can access the CKM Health Implementation Guide at no cost, providing a valuable tool for implementing these transformative health strategies.
