The American Heart Association is launching the EmPOWERED To Serve Urban Health Accelerator™, a grant-based initiative to identify innovative, clearly-defined urban business solutions to drive community change to improve health and well-being. The goal of this initiative is to increase healthy living behaviors, enhance the chain of survival and cultivate community transformation. By working in communities to address key factors that impact health and well-being – economic stability, education, societal influences, neighborhoods, and healthcare – the Accelerator is an opportunity to receive funding to activate critical projects that will positively impact urban community health.
Now, through June 30, the Association seeks submissions from businesses with creative solutions to solve community issues that prevent people from having equal access to health and well-being. Some issues include inadequate housing, early childhood development, and healthy food access. The submission process requires candidates to complete an application and upload a 90 second or less video at empoweredtoserve.org.
Community environments play a crucial role in health outcomes. People living just five miles apart can have a difference in life expectancy of more than 20 years. That’s why the American Heart Association – the world’s leading voluntary organization dedicated to building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke – is working from within communities and seeking fresh ideas to impact health through the EmPOWERED To Serve Urban Health Accelerator™.
“I know the central role that social determinants of health play in our long-term risk of heart disease, stroke, and other devastating illnesses. Even though heart disease and stroke are preventable and we tell people what they need to do to reduce their risks, for many people, it’s not that easy. Knowing what to do and having