Increase Funding to Fight Heart Disease and Stroke

Dear President Obama,

I am writing you today to urge you to avert a looming cardiovascular crisis by providing a dramatic increase in funding for NIH, CDC and HRSA heart disease and stroke research, treatment and prevention programs as you develop your fiscal year 2011 budget. As you draft your budget, please keep in mind:

- Heart disease is America's No. 1 killer and stroke is our No. 3 killer;

- Every 37 seconds someone in the United States dies from heart disease, stroke and other forms of cardiovascular disease---the No. 1 killer in every state;

- Approximately 1 in 3 adults in our country live with the often disabling effects of cardiovascular disease, which cost more than any other disease;

- Heart disease and stroke research, prevention and treatment programs remain woefully underfunded:
--NIH invests only 4% of its budget on heart research and a mere 1% on stroke research.
--CDC provides just 14 states with resources to implement state-tailored initiatives through its Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program; and only 20 states are funded for its WISEWOMAN heart disease and stroke risk factor screening and prevention program.
--HRSA provides only 12 states with resources for its Rural and Community Access to Emergency Devices Program, designed to save lives from sudden cardiac arrest.

- Scientists are on the brink of discoveries that will lead to new therapies and even cures for heart disease and stroke; and proven prevention and treatment strategies are underutilized. A major investment of resources is required to reduce the deadly toll of heart disease and stroke.

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Thank you for your time and consideration in this important matter.