The American Heart Association has named Leonardo Oliveira, a Tampa Bay-based teen, as the 2026 National Teen of Impact Winner for his efforts to raise awareness and funds for cardiovascular disease research, advocacy and education. Oliveira’s campaign focused on nutrition and increasing access to nutrient-rich foods in local food deserts, motivated by the reality that heart disease and stroke can affect people of any age.
Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer in the United States, and the Association works with the next generation to drive change. For Oliveira, this mission is personal. His father, a cardiologist, received one of his earliest research grants from the Association, and both of his parents work in health care, shaping Oliveira’s belief that small, everyday choices impact lifelong well-being.
“Being able to give back to an organization that has had such a meaningful impact on my family is truly special to me,” Oliveira said in a press release. “This experience has helped me think more intentionally about the future I want to help create, one that is more equitable and healthier. It also reminds me that when you set your heart and mind to a goal, and rally those around you, you can accomplish great things.”
The Teen of Impact campaign is a nine-week, nationwide competition that challenges teens to build Impact Teams and drive meaningful change in their communities. This year, the campaign launched on National Wear Red Day and rallied nearly 65 communities and more than 300 nominees in the fight against heart disease.
Oliveira focused his campaign on nutrition because by age 18, many adolescents have already developed risk factors such as high blood pressure, obesity, high cholesterol or Type 2 diabetes. “Heart health matters because the habits we build as teens shape our lifelong well-being,” he said. “By learning your family history, making healthy choices and encouraging your friends to do the same, we can create a foundation of wellness that will carry with us as we head into college, careers and adulthood.”
As the 2026 National Teen of Impact Winner, Oliveira joins a network of advocates proving that anyone can make meaningful change. “The Teen of Impact campaign brings the mission of the American Heart Association to life in communities across the country,” said Lee A. Shapiro, J.D., volunteer chair of the Association. “Leaders like Leonardo are driving change by turning awareness into action and helping build a healthier, more equitable future for their entire generation.”
