AEDs are now a common sight in many public places. (Stock photo by Boy_Anupong/Getty Images)
The American Heart Association (AHA) supports critical health initiatives in Indiana, focusing on the implementation of Cardiac Emergency Response Plans (CERPs), the establishment of a statewide stroke registry, and the increase of tobacco taxes. These efforts aim to significantly improve public health outcomes and save lives.
Cardiac Emergency Response Plans in Schools
AEDs are now a common sight in many public places, but the education and training to use them effectively have not kept pace. With 20% of all cardiac arrests occurring in public places, translating to 365,000 incidents outside of hospitals annually, and a 90% fatality rate, immediate intervention is crucial. The primary reason for this high fatality rate is that only about 40% of individuals receive the necessary help before Emergency Medical Services (EMS) arrive. For every minute that CPR is delayed, the chances of survival decrease by 10%. Given that EMS response times can range from 4 to over 10 minutes, timely intervention is vital.
Approximately 23,000 children under 18 experience sudden cardiac arrest each year, with nearly 40% of these incidents being sports related. The AHA recognizes that while schools’ primary responsibility is education, they also serve as community gathering places. Therefore, it is essential for schools to provide a safe environment for children, staff, and visitors. Implementing and practicing CERPs can increase a child’s survival rate to 70%.
Senate Bill 350 wants schools to collaborate with local EMS to strategically place AEDs within 1-3 minutes of any event or venue, the ideal timeframe for effectiveness and survival. Schools are already equipped for this, as staff are trained in CPR and AED use, and they regularly practice preparedness for fires, tornadoes, and other potential mass-casualty events. A sudden cardiac arrest can be devastating to families, witnesses, and the community. Each child deserves a chance to go home. Adding a CERP enhances their emergency response plans and educates children on how to respond in a sudden cardiac emergency, creating a Nation of Lifesavers.
Statewide Stroke Registry
In addition to CERPs, the AHA is focusing on improving stroke care through House Bill 1310, which aims to establish a statewide stroke registry. This legislation is a crucial step forward in enhancing stroke care and outcomes for all Hoosiers. Strokes are the sixth-leading cause of death in Indiana, and timely, accurate data is essential in reducing stroke-related morbidity and mortality. HB1310 will ensure that Indiana’s health care providers can collect and report comprehensive stroke data, enabling the creation of a robust statewide stroke registry.
Primary stroke and thrombectomy centers already use databases to track patient outcomes, with 46 out of 58 utilizing the AHA’s “Get With The Guidelines®” program. By leveraging this existing framework, the statewide registry will provide invaluable insights into stroke trends, treatment effectiveness, and areas for improvement in the health care system. This initiative will help identify gaps in care, support the implementation of best practices, and ultimately reduce the burden of stroke across the state. The AHA is offering access to this database to the State of Indiana at no cost, highlighting the importance of tracking this data.
Increasing Tobacco Taxes
Increasing tobacco taxes is another significant health initiative being championed by the AHA through the Tobacco Free Indiana (TFI) coalition. Higher tobacco taxes have proven health benefits, and the revenue generated can be used to fund health and tobacco prevention programs. Reducing tobacco use lowers health care costs, benefiting businesses as well. Tobacco taxes are a proven method to reduce and prevent the use of dangerous and addictive tobacco products, particularly among young people and in communities targeted by aggressive tobacco marketing.
TFI advocates for a significant $2 tax increase, as small increases are often offset by discounts, coupons, and buy-one-get-one-free offers from tobacco companies. Parity in the cost of alternative tobacco products, such as vapes or e-cigarettes, is also necessary to discourage switching to cheaper, unhealthy alternatives. Any tax increase must be substantial to achieve public health benefits. Tobacco tax revenue can be directed towards tobacco prevention and control programs and other health initiatives. In these challenging fiscal times, the revenue can also help address budget shortfalls in Medicaid.
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