American Heart Association Awards Grants to 52 Schools Nationwide

Strategic Insights -

The American Heart Association has awarded grants to 52 schools across the country through its annual grant program, which funds resources to extend or support school wellness programs. The association's school-based youth programs, Kids Heart Challenge(TM) and American Heart Challenge(TM), aim to help educators make whole-body wellness a priority by bringing more resources to school campuses. The average grant is $2,400, which will be used to expand wellness offerings such as physical activity equipment, water bottle filling stations, and educator training opportunities.

Key Takeaways:

  • The American Heart Association has awarded grants to 52 schools across the country through its annual grant program.
  • The average grant is $2,400, which will be used to expand wellness offerings such as physical activity equipment, water bottle filling stations, and educator training opportunities.
  • The Kids Heart Challenge(TM) and American Heart Challenge(TM) programs aim to help educators make whole-body wellness a priority by bringing more resources to school campuses.
  • The programs offer physical activities such as dance, basketball, and jumping rope paired with digital missions to learn life-saving skills like Hands-Only CPR(TM).
  • Only 20% of kids in the United States get enough physical activity to meet physical activity recommendations, as stated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans.
  • Regular physical activity has been shown to have numerous benefits for children, including improved grades, school attendance, and classroom behavior, as well as improved mental health and reduced anxiety and depression.
  • The funds raised by Kids Heart Challenge and American Heart Challenge participants support the American Heart Association's scientific research and outreach programs, paving the way for improved health outcomes for healthier communities.
  • The grant application process will move to two deadlines: December 15, 2021 and May 31, 2022, with the program providing funding twice a year.

Statistics:

  • 52 schools across the country have been awarded grants through the American Heart Association's annual grant program.
  • The average grant is $2,400.
  • Only 20% of kids in the United States get enough physical activity to meet physical activity recommendations.
  • 80% of kids in the United States do not get enough physical activity to meet physical activity recommendations.
  • The funds raised by Kids Heart Challenge and American Heart Challenge participants support the American Heart Association's scientific research and outreach programs.

Sources:

  • The American Heart Association issued the following news release: The American Heart Association's school-based youth programs, Kids Heart Challenge(TM) and American Heart Challenge(TM), awarded 52 elementary, middle and high schools across the country through annual grant program which funds resources to extend or support school wellness programs.
  • Department of Health and Human Services, Physical Activity Guidelines, page 14. Available for download here: https://health.gov/paguidelines/default.aspx
  • Department of Health and Human Services, Physical Activity Guidelines, page 14. Available for download here: https://health.gov/paguidelines/default.aspx
  • Department of Health and Human Services, Physical Activity Guidelines, page 14. Available for download here: https://health.gov/paguidelines/default.aspx