§285b–9 HHS valvular heart disease activities

Summary

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must keep supporting research, education, and public awareness about heart valve (valvular) diseases. The Director of the National Institutes of Health, with input from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, may fund or do research. That research can use advanced imaging and other methods, study risk factors for sudden cardiac arrest or sudden cardiac death, and do other work to improve knowledge. Not later than 2 years after December 20, 2022, the NHLBI Director must, as appropriate, hold a workshop of experts and stakeholders to find research needs and make recommendations for identifying and treating people with mitral valve prolapse, including those at risk for sudden cardiac arrest or sudden cardiac death. HHS may run public education and awareness programs to help lower sudden cardiac deaths from valve disease. HHS may give grants or contracts to public or nonprofit groups and offer technical help. Projects may include continuing CDC work, improving public knowledge of risk factors and symptoms, and better public health data on cardiac arrests, including those outside hospitals. HHS may give priority to work that helps the most affected communities, must coordinate these efforts across HHS, and must share best practices with health care providers. There is $28,000,000 authorized for each of fiscal years 2023 through 2027 to carry out these activities.