Around 22 million Americans live in counties with no cardiologist. These areas, known as “cardiology deserts,” are places where access to heart health services like diagnosis and treatment are limited due to factors including provider shortages, fragmented care, geographic isolation or economic challenges.1,2 These regions can be urban or rural, and they exhibit a 31% higher cardiovascular risk index as well as a greater prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors than counties with resident cardiologists.1,2
That’s why the Association of Black Cardiologists, also known as ABC, has launched its Cardiology Deserts campaign. Sponsored by Amgen, the initiative aims to help bring cardiovascular care to communities across the U.S. with some of the highest CVD risk and most limited access to cardiovascular services.
A Targeted, Community-First Approach
The Cardiology Deserts campaign will begin in the Southeastern United States, as counties in the South have shown to be at higher risk of cardiovascular disease.1 This 18-month pilot phase is designed to be scalable, creating a model that will be used to eventually reach other underserved areas across the country and the globe. The campaign will focus on three key priorities:
- Empowering primary care physicians with tools and resources to enable earlier identification and management of heart disease risk factors
- Expanding access to low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol screenings – a critical step in detecting and addressing cardiovascular risk
- Engaging directly with communities to promote healthy lifestyles and elevate awareness about heart disease prevention
“This initiative is more than a campaign—it is a comprehensive intervention,” said Dr. Anthony Fletcher, president of the Association of Black Cardiologists. “These cardiology desert communities bear the brunt of our nation’s cardiovascular crisis. By strengthening the capabilities of primary care providers and meeting communities where they are, we aim to shift the trajectory of cardiovascular health for those living in the most overlooked areas—rural or urban—across this country. This work is about equity, empowerment, and ensuring that no matter your zip code, you have the opportunity to live a healthier life.”
The potential for growth and long-term success relies, in part, on the program’s measurable performance indicators that will provide important feedback throughout the campaign’s run. Among other goals, the Cardiology Deserts campaign aims to achieve up to 8,000 LDL-C and lipoprotein(a) (also known as Lp(a)), screenings in collaboration with testing partners. By closely monitoring these testing activations, ABC will be able to better understand LDL-C screening demand and participant demographics; identify the percentage of abnormal LDL-C results; measure the number of attendees who receive personalized education sessions; and record follow-ups where participants are counseled or referred for further care.
Education and outreach are at the heart of these efforts, empowering participants with valuable knowledge while connecting them to additional resources and local support networks.
"We often talk about 'unmet medical need', and cardiology deserts bring that phrase vividly to life. This effort goes beyond a simple campaign; it’s a holistic approach,” said Paul Burton, M.D., Ph.D., senior vice president and chief medical officer at Amgen. “By empowering primary care providers and engaging directly with communities, we strive to transform cardiovascular health outcomes for people living in underserved rural and urban areas nationwide.”
A Legacy of Leadership in Heart Health Equity
Since 1974, ABC has been at the forefront of the fight against cardiovascular disparities, advancing health equity through a combination of professional education, patient and community outreach, advocacy and research. Amgen is proud of its longstanding relationship with ABC and has partnered with the esteemed organization on multiple programs over the years.
These efforts include the African American Heart Study, an Amgen-sponsored observational, case-controlled study. Led by primary investigator Dr. Elizabeth Ofili and advised by ABC and the Morehouse School of Medicine, the African American Heart Study is designed to understand the levels of Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] among African Americans and the relationship between Lp(a) and diseases of the heart and arteries. The study also focuses on improving the representation of African Americans and Blacks, including patients and physicians, in Amgen clinical studies through community engagement and outreach in collaboration with trusted local partners. Amgen is also a proud sponsor of ABC’s 50th Anniversary work, including endeavors to transform the health policy landscape. Now, with support from Amgen, ABC is expanding its mission to address this urgent gap in care: cardiology deserts.
The Cardiology Deserts campaign builds on ABC’s five-decade legacy of action and impact. Bolstered by Amgen’s commitment to advancing heart health equity, this initiative hopes to extend beyond the identification of major care deficiencies – it’s designed to help rewrite the future of heart health for millions across the U.S. and the globe.
References
- Jeong HK, et al. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2024;84(3). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2024.04.054.
- Pierce JB, et al. The American Journal of Cardiology. 2025;248. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjcard.2025.03.033.
