The National Institutes of Health (NIH), America’s premiere medical research facility, supports research dedicated to “acquiring new knowledge to help prevent, detect, diagnose and treat disease and disability.”  In addition to providing new treatment and prevention efforts and cures, NIH investment fuels innovation and creates opportunities that generate economic growth and helps maintain America's position as the world leader in biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. 

Heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases remain America’s leading causes of death. They affect nearly 81 million Americans and cost this nation more than any other disease. Despite the enormous burden these diseases place on our nation, NIH heart and stroke research remains disproportionately underfunded, especially in light of the many promising scientific opportunities that could advance the fight against these diseases. 

The NIH invests only 7 percent of its budget on heart research and a mere 1 percent on stroke research.  Please help us dramatically increase funding for NIH heart and stroke research.

• Fact Sheet
• AHA Statement - FY 2009 Appropriations for Labor-HHS-Education
• Coalition:
  National Coalition for Heart and Stroke Research

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