Advocate
Every woman has a voice. And when we use our voices together, we can change what’s possible.
Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death for women. Women across the country are helping shape policies that make it easier to prevent heart disease and stroke, access quality affordable health care and build healthier communities for generations to come.
The American Heart Association and Go Red for Women advocate every day for science based, nonpartisan public policies that support women’s health at every age and life stage. Together, we can turn awareness into action — and progress into lasting change.
Uniting to Change the Future of Health
Go Red for Women advocacy is powered by American Heart Association Heart Powered – the Association’s national grassroots advocacy network. Built on more than 40 years of nonpartisan advocacy, Heart Powered brings together individuals, families and communities nationwide to help advance public policies that create longer, healthier lives for all.
Through Heart Powered, advocates:
- Elevate real voices and lived experiences
- Inform policy debates with science and evidence
- Speak up for solutions that improve health and prevent disease
- Help ensure every woman has a fair opportunity for a healthy life
Real Impact, Real Progress
Heart Powered advocates are helping drive change that saves lives, including:
- Passing policies at the federal and state levels to help schools prepare for cardiac emergencies
- Expanding postpartum Medicaid coverage in states across the country
- Strengthening tobacco, nutrition and public health policies
- Improving access to healthy school meals and nutrition programs
Access to quality, affordable health care is foundational to women’s heart health — before, during and after pregnancy and across the lifespan.
We advocate for policies that:
- Optimize health insurance coverage and expand access to care
- Extend Medicaid coverage to 12 months postpartum
- Expand Medicaid coverage to include self-measured blood pressure monitoring
- Address gaps in maternal health outcomes
These solutions help ensure women receive preventive care, manage chronic conditions and get timely treatment — without unnecessary barriers.
Strong families support strong hearts. The American Heart Association advocates for policies that help families thrive by:
- Expanding access to paid family and medical leave
- Supporting early care and education
- Reducing financial stress so families can prioritize health
These policies help caregivers care for themselves and their loved ones — without having to choose between health and economic security.
Access to nutritious food is essential for heart health — and women are disproportionately affected by nutrition and food insecurity. More than half of people who rely on federally funded nutrition programs are women.
We advocate for policies that:
- Strengthen and protect programs like SNAP
- Promote healthy food and beverage consumption
- Increase access to healthy school meals
- Support community-based nutrition solutions that prevent and manage chronic disease
When families have reliable access to healthy food, women and communities are healthier — today and long into the future.
Go Red for Women Advocates
Join Us
Your voice matters — for you, for your family and for your community.
Join American Heart Association Heart Powered and be part of a nationwide movement advocating for policies that improve women’s heart health and create a healthier future for everyone, everywhere.
Text “HEART” to 46839
or visit HeartPowered.org
