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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Jacob Zychick, Community Advocacy Director of American Heart Association on Heart Disease and Stroke Initiatives
6:28:37
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131 sec
Jacob Zychick from the American Heart Association testified in support of funding for initiatives addressing heart disease and stroke in New York City. He emphasized the need for implementing a program to provide at-home blood pressure machines and increasing funding for nutrition assistance programs like HealthBucks and Get the Good Stuff.
- Highlighted that heart disease is the leading cause of death for adults in NYC, with high blood pressure being a key risk factor
- Urged City Council to support $1,000,000 in funding to fully implement a hypertension law passed in 2023
- Advocated for increased funding for HealthBucks and expansion of the Get the Good Stuff program to improve access to healthy foods for SNAP recipients
Jacob Zychick
6:28:37
Thank you.
6:28:37
On behalf of the American Heart Association, thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony today in support of funding for initiatives that would address heart disease and stroke.
6:28:47
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for adults in New York City.
6:28:50
Individuals may have a higher risk of heart disease if they have high blood pressure, eat an unhealthy diet, or because of other manageable contributing factors.
6:28:58
High blood pressure or hypertension is a key risk factor for heart disease and stroke, and often there are no obvious symptoms to indicate something is wrong.
6:29:06
As of 2019, '2 point '5 million adults or about one third of New Yorkers reported having high blood pressure, and only forty seven percent of those diagnosed with high blood pressure had it under control.
6:29:17
In 2023, New York City Council passed legislation, which requires the DOHMH to support making at home blood pressure machines available at no cost to the public at federally qualified health centers in five high need areas.
6:29:32
Unfortunately, that program has not been able to be fully implemented.
6:29:36
We would like to thank Councilmember Narcis and others for championing the need for this funding, and we urge City Council to support the 1,000,000 to fully ensure that this program is launched.
6:29:46
In addition to that, we'd like to, we are encouraged by the support that Get The Good Stuff has received in the current budget.
6:29:53
We'd also like to highlight HealthBucks, New York City's long standing farmers market snap incentive program has been baselined at nearly $500,000 for several years and then no longer is sufficient to meet the growing demand.
6:30:06
We are encouraged and urge city council to increase the amount that invested in HealthBucks.
6:30:10
In addition to that, we'd also like to, encourage City Council to, support the expansion and increase funding for Get the Good Stuff, which provides SNAP recipients with matching dollars to purchase eligible fruits, vegetables, beans at participating grocery stores.
6:30:25
Once again, thank you so much for the opportunity, to, testify today and provide comment.
6:30:31
The American Heart Association urges New York City Council to include $1,000,000 through funding to fully implement hypertension law and increase funding
Aaron Anderson
6:30:39
for health
UNKNOWN
6:30:39
care.
6:30:40
You.
6:30:40
You said
Lynn Schulman
6:30:40
was slightly lower.
6:30:41
Him finish.
6:30:41
Let him finish.
6:30:42
Okay.
Jacob Zychick
6:30:43
Once again, thank you so much.
6:30:45
I hope everyone has an enjoyable Memorial Day weekend.