HB 459: Heart Health for All Act; enact

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Georgia, and the bill's findings note that Black and Hispanic women, pregnant women, and younger people face disproportionate risks. House Bill 459, called the "Heart Health for All Act," adds a new section to Georgia's public health code (O.C.G.A. § 31-1-26) directing the Department of Public Health to create public awareness campaigns about heart disease risk factors, prevention, and treatment, prioritizing high-risk groups. The department would also partner with schools and colleges to teach students about heart attack and stroke symptoms, distribute educational materials through community centers and healthcare providers, and support research and low-cost cardiovascular screenings, especially in underserved areas. Starting no later than June 30, 2026, and every year after, the department must publish a public report on the program's results and effectiveness. The law would take effect as soon as the Governor signs it.

• Creates a new Georgia public health program requiring the Department of Public Health to run statewide cardiovascular disease awareness campaigns targeting high-risk groups.
• Requires the department to partner with elementary, secondary, technical, and higher education institutions to teach students about heart attack and stroke symptoms.
• Directs the department to distribute cardiovascular health educational materials through community centers, healthcare providers, and digital platforms.
• Requires the department to support research on cardiovascular disease and help community health centers offer free or low-cost heart screenings, prioritizing underserved areas.
• Requires an annual public report to the Governor and General Assembly on the program's results, starting by June 30, 2026.

The Department of Public Health, which runs the new program; public and private schools, colleges, and universities that partner on education efforts; community health centers offering screenings; and Georgia residents, especially Black and Hispanic women, pregnant women, and younger people identified as facing higher cardiovascular disease risk.

Georgians, particularly high-risk groups like Black and Hispanic women and younger residents, could gain access to more heart disease education, school-based awareness efforts, and low-cost screenings, along with a public yearly accounting of whether these efforts are reducing cardiovascular disease deaths across the state.

• Section 1 names the bill the 'Heart Health for All Act.'
• Section 2 lists legislative findings on cardiovascular disease's toll in Georgia, including disparities affecting Black and Hispanic women and rising cases among younger generations.
• Section 3 adds O.C.G.A. § 31-1-26, requiring the department to run awareness campaigns, partner with schools, and distribute educational materials.
• Section 3, subsection (b) requires the department to support cardiovascular research and help community health centers offer free or discounted screenings.
• Section 3, subsection (c) requires prioritizing areas with limited healthcare access and higher cardiovascular mortality rates.
• Section 3, subsection (d) requires an annual report by June 30, 2026 and each year after, covering campaign effectiveness, screening demographics, and mortality data.
• Section 4 sets the effective date as the date the Governor signs the bill or it becomes law without signature.

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 disease
• public health campaigns
• maternal health
• health disparities
• school health education