Report on the American Heart Association’s CKM Health Initiative and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

The American Heart Association has expanded its Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic (CKM) Health Initiative to 15 regions across the United States. This report analyzes the initiative’s structure, objectives, and significant contributions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Initiative Overview and Contribution to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The CKM Health Initiative directly addresses SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. By focusing on the prevention and treatment of non-communicable diseases (Target 3.4), the program targets Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic (CKM) syndrome, a condition encompassing the interconnected health impacts of heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, and obesity.

• Objective: To improve the diagnosis, treatment, and management of CKM syndrome, which has been declared a public health emergency due to rising risk factors and low levels of optimal CKM health in the U.S. population.
• Scope: The initiative will enroll 150 healthcare sites across 15 regions, with a projected impact on the care of over 250,000 patients.
• Alignment with SDG 3.4: The program’s core mission is to reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases by establishing a new model of care that ensures evidence-based therapies are consistently provided to individuals with CKM conditions.

Strategic Implementation and Focus on SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

The initiative demonstrates a strong commitment to SDG 10 by actively working to reduce health disparities. The selection of participating regions was based on criteria designed to address areas with significant need, thereby promoting equitable health outcomes.

Selected Regions

The initial five regions have been expanded to a total of 15, chosen based on disease prevalence, local health system characteristics, and diverse demographic profiles.

1. Atlanta metro, GA
2. Baton Rouge metro, LA
3. San Diego metro, CA
4. Washington, D.C. and Maryland
5. Ohio
6. Bronx and Brooklyn, NY
7. Connecticut
8. Indianapolis, IN
9. Las Vegas, NV
10. Louisville and western Kentucky
11. Miami and Ft. Lauderdale, FL
12. Nebraska
13. North Carolina
14. San Antonio, TX
15. Tulsa, OK

This strategic selection aligns with SDG 10 by targeting communities where health inequalities are prevalent. Furthermore, the initiative includes guidance for connecting patients with community resources to address health-related social needs, such as transportation limitations and prescription affordability, directly tackling the social determinants that contribute to unequal health outcomes.

Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration in Line with SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The success of the CKM Health Initiative is built upon a multi-stakeholder partnership model, reflecting the principles of SDG 17. This collaboration brings together diverse entities from the private sector and civil society to achieve a common health objective.

Key Partners

• Civil Society Lead: The American Heart Association
• Founding Sponsors: Novo Nordisk and Boehringer Ingelheim
• Supporting Sponsor: Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation
• Champion Sponsor: DaVita
• Implementation Partners: 150 participating healthcare organizations designated as “CKM Health Groundbreakers.”

This partnership leverages corporate funding, non-profit leadership, and on-the-ground clinical implementation to create a holistic and sustainable framework for improving public health. It serves as a model for how public-private-civil society collaborations can effectively address complex health challenges and advance the global development agenda.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

   The article primarily addresses two Sustainable Development Goals:

   • SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

     The entire article is focused on a major health initiative by the American Heart Association. It deals with improving the diagnosis, treatment, and awareness of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), specifically cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome, which includes heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, and obesity. The initiative’s goal to reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart failure directly contributes to ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being.

   • SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

     The article highlights that the initiative is a collaborative effort. It is led by the American Heart Association (a civil society organization) and “supported by founding sponsors Novo Nordisk and Boehringer Ingelheim, supporting sponsor Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation and champion sponsor DaVita” (private sector corporations). This multi-stakeholder partnership is a key mechanism for achieving the goals, reflecting the essence of SDG 17.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

   Based on the article’s focus, the following specific targets can be identified:

   • Target 3.4: Reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases

     This target aims to “by 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.” The article’s initiative is designed to “improve treatment of the interconnected conditions that lead to heart disease and stroke” and “increase awareness, screening and treatment” for CKM syndrome. This directly aligns with the goal of reducing mortality from NCDs through better prevention and treatment.

   • Target 17.17: Encourage effective partnerships

     This target is to “encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.” The initiative described is a clear example of a civil society-private partnership, with the American Heart Association collaborating with multiple pharmaceutical and healthcare companies to fund and implement a large-scale health program.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

   Yes, the article mentions and implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress:

   • Indicators for Target 3.4

     • Prevalence of risk factors: The article explicitly lists risk factors for CKM syndrome: “high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol, high blood glucose (sugar), impaired kidney function and high body mass index or waist circumference.” Tracking the prevalence of these factors in the target populations would be a direct indicator of the initiative’s success in prevention.
     • Prevalence of CKM health: The article provides a baseline statistic that “just 10% of U.S. adults have excellent CKM health.” An increase in this percentage would be a key performance indicator for the initiative.
     • Reach of health services: The article states the initiative will “enroll 150 health care sites” and impact “the care of more than a quarter-million patients.” These numbers serve as process indicators to measure the scale and implementation of the improved care model.

   • Indicators for Target 17.17

     • Existence of a multi-stakeholder partnership: The article’s description of the collaboration between the American Heart Association and its corporate sponsors (Novo Nordisk, Boehringer Ingelheim, Novartis, DaVita) serves as a qualitative indicator that a public-private/civil society partnership has been successfully formed to address a specific development goal. The defined roles (“founding sponsors,” “supporting sponsor”) further detail the structure of this partnership.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

   SDGs	Targets	Indicators Identified in the Article
   SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being	Target 3.4: Reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment.	Prevalence of risk factors (high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol, high blood glucose, impaired kidney function, high BMI/waist circumference). Percentage of the adult population with “excellent CKM health” (baseline mentioned as 10%). Number of healthcare sites enrolled in the initiative (target of 150). Number of patients whose care is impacted by the initiative (target of over 250,000).
   SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals	Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships.	Formation of a structured partnership between a civil society organization (American Heart Association) and private corporations (Novo Nordisk, Boehringer Ingelheim, Novartis, DaVita).

Source: finance.yahoo.com