Beyond the Numbers: Cardiovascular Health, Equity, and Prevention

Heart health is often reduced to statistics and clinical metrics, yet cardiovascular outcomes are shaped just as much by where people live, work, and age as by biology alone. This February Learning Series session goes beyond the numbers to examine why heart disease continues to affect some communities more than others, and what prevention can look like outside the exam room.

Participants will explore current cardiovascular disease trends and persistent disparities, while unpacking how chronic stress, environmental conditions, and access to care influence heart health across populations. The discussion will highlight practical prevention and early detection strategies alongside community-based approaches that address root causes, not just symptoms.

Designed for community members, advocates, practitioners, and leaders, this session will help attendees recognize inequities in cardiovascular outcomes, understand how social and structural factors shape heart health, and identify meaningful community and policy levers that can support more equitable prevention and long-term cardiovascular well-being.