American Heart Association Awards Grants to Seven Schools to Promote Student Health

The American Heart Association has awarded financial grants to seven schools across the United States, targeting student health and wellness through strategic resource investments. These grants, distributed through the Kids Heart Challenge™ and American Heart Challenge™ programs, aim to create healthier school environments by funding fitness equipment, water bottle filling stations, and educational tools.

The selected schools—located in Iowa, Tennessee, Texas, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Illinois, and California—will use the grants to support initiatives that encourage physical activity and health education. This effort comes in response to CDC data showing that nearly 20% of children and teens are affected by obesity, highlighting the critical need for proactive health interventions.

Marsha Jones, American Heart Association volunteer board chair, emphasized the long-term impact of these grants, stating that they are about building a foundation for lifelong well-being. The programs reach more than 10 million students annually in approximately 20,000 schools, teaching valuable health skills and promoting active lifestyles.

By focusing on youth health, the American Heart Association is addressing a crucial public health challenge. The grants not only provide immediate resources for schools but also aim to instill healthy habits that can reduce future cardiovascular risks and improve overall community health.