Abstract
BACKGROUND: Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. California's overall rates are lower than the national average, but gaps persist for high-risk communities. PROJECT RATIONALE: Mortality rates increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, reversing decades of progress, and many existing programs do not address deeper determinants of health. PROJECT SUMMARY: Using the socioecological model and a multimethod secondary analysis, this review examined California heart disease trends, risk factors, and programs from 2018 to 2022. Mortality rose in California and the U.S., with men and older adults having the highest rates. Programs improved individual awareness but often lacked community and policy integration. TAKE-HOME MESSAGE: Equity-focused, community-based prevention backed by stable funding and policies is essential to reduce health disparities in cardiovascular disease.