of cardiovascular events. However, structural and systemic factors perpetuate disparities in access to screenings, care and treatment of CVD.6 Despite having a higher prevalence of CVD, Black Americans are less likely to receive timely screenings for high LDL-C, a big risk factor for heart attacks and strokes.7, 8 Additionally, Black Americans who experience heart attacks are less likely to be prescribed appropriate treatment.9 Across the country, many patients encounter obstacles when seeking care for CVD, and these challenges can escalate when accounting for disparities in access. Understanding of, and adherence to, treatment guidelines can vary among clinicians, creating a need for awareness around the importance of guideline directed lipid management. Earlier this year, Amgen hosted the first-ever annual LDL-C Action Summit to address the state of CVD care in the U.S. The meeting brought together representatives from the American College of Cardiology (ACC), American Heart Association (AHA), Cardio Health Alliance, Family Heart Foundation and the National Lipid Association (NLA), among others, to discuss strategies and opportunities for improving lipid management among the highest risk of people living with CVD.10 Initiatives such as the LDL-C Action Summit bring us one step closer to addressing the harsh realities of cardiovascular disease, but there is much more to be done collectively to meet Amgen's ambition of halving the number of cardiovascular events by 2030. To help raise awareness about the connection between high bad cholesterol and CVD, Amgen joined the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) to convene a conversation about how policymakers can help improve cardiovascular health. NBCSL Vice President, State Senator Raumesh Akbari (TN) spoke during the event and encouraged local governments, including state departments of health, to make cardiovascular health a priority and ensure people have access to annual screenings. Amgen encourages NBCSL to adopt Senator Akbari’s sponsored legislation that will establish September as National Cholesterol Education Month. Now is the time to educate and advocate for actions that can improve access to screenings, care, and the management of cardiovascular disease among Black Americans. For more information, as well as to receive information about a free LDL-C screening test, visit WhatIsMyLDL.com. https://www.lipidlink.com/ 1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Health, United States Spotlight: Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Heart Disease. Retrieved Aug 3, 2023, from: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/hus/spotlight/HeartDiseaseSpotlight_2019_0404.pdf 2. Mosca L, Ferris A, Fabunmi R, Robertson RM. Tracking women’s awareness of heart disease: an American Heart Association national study. Circulation. 2004; 109:573–579. https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/01.cir.0000115222.69428.c9 3. Carnethon MR. Cardiovascular Health in African Americans: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2017; 136:393-423. https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000534 4. Mensah GA. Cardiovascular Diseases in African Americans: Fostering Community Partnerships to Stem the Tide. Am J Kidney Dis. 2018;72(5 Suppl 1):S37-S42. doi:10.1053/j.ajkd.2018.06.026 5. Eberly LA. Identification of Racial Inequities in Access to Specialized Inpatient Heart Failure Care at an Academic Medical Center. Circulation: Heart Failure. 2019;12(11). doi: https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCHEARTFAILURE.119.006214 6. Congressional Black Caucus Institute. 2023 Annual Report. Retrieved Aug 3, 2023, from: https://www.cbcinstitute.org/21stcenturycouncil 7. Family Heart Foundation. Black American Risks for Heart Disease and Stroke. Retrieved Aug 3, 2023, from: https://familyheart.org/black- american-risks 8. Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics—2018 Update: A Report From the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2018; 137 (12): e67-e492. https:// doi.org/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000558 9. Sameer Arora, MD; George A. Stouffer, MD; Anna Kucharska‐Newton, MPH, PhD, et al. Fifteen‐Year Trends in Management and Outcomes of Non–ST‐Segment–Elevation Myocardial Infarction Among Black and White Patients: The ARIC Community Surveillance Study, 2000–2014. Journal of the American Heart Association. 2018; 7 (19). https://doi.org/10.1161/JAHA.118.010203 10. Amgen at ACC: A Bold Mission to Cut Heart Attacks and Strokes in Half by 2030. Retrieved October 24, 2023 from: https://www.amgen.com/ stories/2023/03/amgen-at-acc-a-bold-mission-to-cut-heart-attacks-and-strokes-in-half-by-2030 THE LEGISLATOR WINTER 2023 55