Risk Assessment; culturally competent risk assessment tools; targeted public health initiatives, and enhanced healthcare interventions; recognize the need
Impact
By advocating for the development and implementation of tailored screening and management strategies, SR290 aims to enhance cardiovascular health outcomes for South Asian Americans. The resolution highlights the need for improved standards of care by incorporating advanced imaging and diagnostic tools. Such interventions are expected to lead to earlier detection and prevention of heart disease, potentially saving lives and reducing healthcare costs associated with late-stage treatment.
Summary
Senate Resolution 290 recognizes the urgent need for culturally competent risk assessment tools and targeted public health initiatives to address the higher prevalence of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) among South Asian Americans. This demographic is disproportionately affected by ASCVD, often manifesting earlier in life and with greater severity compared to other populations. The resolution calls attention to the critical health disparities faced by this group and the inadequacies of existing risk assessment algorithms, which have not been developed using data specific to South Asian Americans.
Contention
While the resolution seeks to address an important public health issue, it may face challenges in funding and implementation, particularly concerning cultural competence in healthcare systems. Health disparities often result from broader systemic issues such as access to care and socioeconomic factors. Thus, achieving the goals set out in SR290 requires not only the development of specific tools but also a concerted effort to address the social determinants of health that contribute to these disparities.
American Heart Month; February 2023; rise of cardiovascular disease as the world's leading cause of preventable death and disability and as the global public health crisis of our generation; recognize