The American Heart Association’s Advocacy Department – Office of Policy Research and Development works with our volunteer experts to develop policy position statements on key issues likely to have an impact on the association's mission: Building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.  Our policy positions are grounded in the best available scientific evidence and analyzed by recognized content experts through a process that is rigorous, transparent and free from conflict of interest.

Some of our recent policy position statements and policy papers appear below.

Obesity and Nutrition

• Physical Education in Schools
• Nutrition in Schools
• Menu Labeling 
• Treatment of Childhood Obesity in the Healthcare Environment
• Competitive Foods and Beverages Model Legislation
• Food Marketing and Advertising to Kids
• Trans Fat
• Body Mass Index (BMI) Surveillance and Assessment in Schools
• Obesity Prevention and Health Promotion in Child Care Settings
• Beverage Taxes and Obesity Prevention
• Policy Position Statement on Food Package and Retail Shelf Icon Systems

Stroke

• Outline Policy Brief: Implementation Strategies for Emergency Medical Services within Stroke Systems of Care
• Summary Policy Brief: Implementation Strategies for Emergency Medical Services within Stroke Systems of Care
• Policy Recommendations for the Implementation of Telemedicine Within Stroke  

Cardiovascular Disease

• Clean Indoor Air Laws and the Impact on Cardiovascular Disease
• Eliminating the Sale of Tobacco Products in Pharmacies

Other

• Principals of Health Care Reform - one pager and brochure
• The American Heart Association’s Principles for Comparative Effectiveness Research
• American Heart Association Position Statement on Effective Worksite Wellness Programs
• A Taxonomy of Disease Management