ASSOCIATION OF BLACK CARDIOLOGISTS LAUNCHES A NATIONAL INITIATIVE TO ADDRESS “CARDIOLOGY DESERTS”

The Association of Black Cardiologists (ABC), a national 501c3 nonprofit focused on advancing cardiovascular wellness for all, announces the launch of the Cardiology Deserts campaign to confront the challenge of living in regions throughout the United States with limited access to cardiovascular services. These regions face persistent barriers to obtaining timely and effective cardiovascular care. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been a major public health crisis in America for decades.1,2

The Cardiology Deserts campaign, sponsored by Amgen, a leading biotechnology company, will address these high-risk regions by simultaneously enhancing primary provider capabilities, expanding access to LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) screening and engaging communities to actively pursue healthier outcomes. The campaign will begin in the Southeastern United States, as counties in the South have shown to be at higher risk of cardiovascular disease.3 The pilot phase is designed to be scalable and create a model for reaching other underserved areas across the country and the globe.

Cardiology deserts refer to both rural and urban areas where access to heart health services is limited due to barriers caused by provider shortages, fragmented care, geographic isolation or economic challenges.4 According to data from 2017 to March 2020, 48.6% of US adults 20 years and older had some form of CVD (including coronary heart disease, stroke, heart failure, and hypertension), reaching 127.9 million individuals in 2020.2

Many such affected communities are concentrated in rural and urban regions across Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Arkansas, where this pilot program is being launched. Nationwide, approximately 22 million Americans live in counties with no cardiologist at all. These counties demonstrate a 31% higher cardiovascular risk index and a greater prevalence of CVD risk factors.3

“This initiative is more than a campaign—it is a comprehensive intervention,” said Dr. Anthony Fletcher, President of the Association of Black Cardiologists. “These cardiology desert communities bear the brunt of our nation’s cardiovascular crisis. By strengthening the capabilities of primary care providers and meeting communities where they are, we aim to shift the trajectory of cardiovascular health for those living in the most overlooked areas—rural or urban—across this country. This work is about equity, empowerment, and ensuring that no matter your zip code, you have the opportunity to live a healthier life.”

“Amgen is committed to bringing transformational therapies to improve clinical outcomes in people living with cardiovascular disease. That’s why we are proud to support the Association of Black Cardiologists in this urgent and impactful effort,” said Paul Burton, MD, PhD, senior vice president and chief medical officer at Amgen. “Barriers to cardiovascular care in the United States remain pervasive and addressing them requires long-term investment and multi-pronged approaches that unite stakeholders across the CVD landscape. We look forward to the ways this initiative will meet both patients and healthcare providers in their communities—delivering better access to resources, education and LDL-C testing.”

Through this effort, ABC is not just addressing gaps in care—they are building a pathway to healthier lives and stronger communities across the nation. As ABC expands this work, they invite other organizations, community leaders and groups, and advocacy partners to join them in this vital initiative. To explore opportunities for collaboration, ABC encourages interested groups to contact Steven Owens (sowens@abcardio.org), and become part of this transformative movement to eliminate cardiology deserts.

Founded in 1974, the Association of Black Cardiologists (ABC) is a nonprofit organization comprised of cardiologists, healthcare professionals, and community advocates committed to eliminating the disparities that lead to poor cardiovascular outcomes in underserved communities. ABC promotes health equity through a combination of professional education, patient and community outreach, advocacy, and research. Learn more at www.abcardio.org.

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