Major Retailers Join Forces to Combat Rising Cardiovascular Disease Crisis

With cardiovascular disease projected to impact more than six in ten American adults within the next three decades, major retailers across the United States are mobilizing to support the American Heart Association's Life Is Why campaign during February's American Heart Month.

The widespread retail initiative brings together industry leaders including AT&T, CVS Health, Kroger Health, and new participants like QVC and Reebok, allowing customers to contribute to cardiovascular health research and prevention through point-of-sale donations. The campaign's timing is critical as recent research indicates an impending surge in cardiovascular disease rates that could dramatically impact public health outcomes.

Marsha Jones, 2023-2025 volunteer chairperson of the American Heart Association's Board, emphasized that the campaign's proceeds will support vital research, prevention programs, and resources aimed at helping people live longer, healthier lives regardless of their location. The initiative comes at a crucial time when cardiovascular disease costs are projected to rise significantly in the coming decades.

The retail partnership's significance extends beyond immediate fundraising, as it represents a coordinated private sector response to a looming public health crisis. Through in-store signage and online promotions, participating retailers will share survival stories and promote healthy habits, potentially reaching millions of American consumers with critical health information.

The campaign's impact could be substantial, as funds will support the Association's 2028 Impact Goal, focusing on scientific breakthroughs and implementing proven healthcare solutions. With cardiovascular disease remaining a leading cause of death in the United States, this retail-driven initiative represents a significant step toward addressing a major public health challenge that could affect most American adults within their lifetime.