HB459: HB459 Heart Health for All Act; enact

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Georgia, and the bill notes that Black and Hispanic women, pregnant women, and younger people face disproportionate risk. HB459, called the 'Heart Health for All Act,' would add a new section to Georgia's public health code (O.C.G.A. § 31-1-26) directing the Department of Public Health to create awareness campaigns, partner with schools and colleges to teach students about heart attack and stroke symptoms, and distribute educational materials through community centers, health providers, and online platforms. The department would also support research on cardiovascular disease prevention and help community health centers offer free or low-cost screenings, prioritizing areas with limited healthcare access and higher death rates. Starting no later than June 30, 2026, and every year after, the department must report to the Governor and General Assembly on the program's results and publish the report online. The law would take effect as soon as the Governor signs it.

• Adds a new section to Georgia's public health law (O.C.G.A. § 31-1-26) requiring the Department of Public Health to run statewide cardiovascular disease awareness campaigns.
• Requires the department to prioritize outreach to younger people, Black and Hispanic communities, and women, who the bill says face higher cardiovascular disease risk.
• Directs the department to partner with schools, technical colleges, and universities to teach students to recognize heart attack and stroke symptoms.
• Requires the department to support research and help community health centers offer free, discounted, or low-cost cardiovascular screenings, prioritizing areas with limited healthcare access.
• Requires an annual public report to the Governor and General Assembly, due by June 30, 2026 and each year after, on the program's results and demographics served.

The Georgia Department of Public Health, which must build and run the program; public and private schools, colleges, and universities that would partner on education efforts; community health centers and healthcare providers; and Georgia residents, especially younger people, Black and Hispanic communities, and women identified as higher risk.

Georgians would gain access to new state-run education campaigns, school partnerships, and screening support aimed at catching heart disease earlier, particularly in groups the bill identifies as facing higher rates of cardiovascular death, including pregnant women and younger adults.

• Section 2 lists legislative findings, including that cardiovascular disease is Georgia's leading cause of death and disproportionately affects Black and Hispanic women and younger generations.
• Section 3 creates new Code section 31-1-26, requiring statewide awareness campaigns, school partnerships, and distribution of educational materials.
• Subsection (b) requires the department to support cardiovascular research focused on maternal health and minority populations and help fund low-cost screenings.
• Subsection (c) requires the department to prioritize areas with limited healthcare access and higher cardiovascular mortality rates when implementing screening support.
• Subsection (d) requires an annual written report, due by June 30, 2026 and each year after, covering campaign effectiveness, screening demographics, and mortality trends, published on the department's website.
• Section 4 makes the law effective immediately upon the Governor's signature or upon becoming law without approval.

1. 2025-02-19House Second Readers (House)
2. 2025-02-18House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-02-13House Hopper (House)

• Doreen Carter (D, HD-093)Primary sponsor
• Kim Schofield (D, HD-063)
• Karen Bennett (D, HD-094)
• Carolyn Hugley (D, HD-141)
• Marvin Lim (D, HD-098)
• Michelle Au (D, HD-050)

• heart health
• public health campaigns
• maternal health
• health disparities
• Department of Public Health