The ACC has teamed up with Foodsmart, Higi and the Healthy Corner Store to launch the Buffalove Caring Hearts Initiative, which will provide sustainable, ongoing support and infrastructure for cardiovascular health and food access/security in the communities directly affected by the mass shooting in Buffalo, NY, in May. The Buffalo program, the first of a broader new ACC effort working with the Healthy Corner Store Initiative to address health care disparities through community-based partnerships, was accelerated in light of the recent tragedy.

Through the program, Foodsmart, an all-in-one app-based grocery platform, will provide registered dietitian coaching, recipe and cost-effective grocery shopping support and tailored meal planning tools. In Buffalo, communities in ZIP codes 14208 and 14209 will receive free grocery delivery, automated meal planning and grocery lists, and convenient, budget-friendly recipes. In addition, Higi’s Smart Health Stations will be deployed at Healthy Corner Stores and allow community members to monitor their blood pressure and weight, understand risk factors for conditions like heart attack and stroke and gain access to information on heart health from CardioSmart, ACC’s patient engagement program. The platform’s survey capabilities, physiological screening tools and other patient engagement mechanisms will allow Higi to provide education and personalized recommendations to resources available in the community.

“Community tragedies like the mass shooting in Buffalo have a direct impact on heart health. The ACC is mission-driven to improve heart health, both globally and locally,” said Eric Stecker, MD, FACC, chair of the ACC Science and Quality Committee. “With the Buffalove Caring Hearts Initiative, our goal is to provide ongoing support resources for food security, nutrition, meal planning, in-store health screening services and patient risk assessments – all of which have a direct impact on heart health.”

“The Healthy Corner Store Initiative (HCSI) continues to offer a multi-level community approach providing access to fresh produce and healthier options, and we are excited to partner in this initiative which will expand our efforts,” said Sheila A. Bass, Healthy Corner Store Initiative Coordinator. “The Buffalove Care Initiative will support yet another level of mindful community health with access to health screenings right at your local participating HCSI store. The HCSI community will have the necessary resources and tools right at their fingertips to engage in actions steps and to increase awareness of their heart health and much more.”

“Food is medicine and critical to our lives, yet the act of feeding ourselves and our families can be stressful, complicated and expensive, but it shouldn't be,” said Jason Langheier, MD, CEO of Foodsmart and Buffalo native. “At Foodsmart, we believe that eating well should be within reach for all, not some.  That food should be accessible and affordable. And that we have a role to play in addressing the nutrition insecurity that plagues too many, and that has a direct impact on our health and susceptibility to illness. We are committed to serving Buffalo and the Buffalove coalition.”

“We are deeply saddened by the events that took place at Tops Friendly Market in Buffalo,” said Jeff Bennett, CEO at Higi. “While we cannot begin to imagine the pain being felt by this community, we are honored to be able provide access to screen for prevalent and pervasive health conditions and to deliver education and actionable programs that can help community members address their risk factors and better manage their ongoing care.”

Clinical Topics: Cardiovascular Care Team

Keywords: Pain, Stroke, Risk Factors, Myocardial Infarction, Food Security, Risk Assessment, Community Health Services, Public Health, Patient Participation, Nutritionists, Mobile Applications, Mentoring, Healthcare Disparities, Goals, Cost-Benefit Analysis, Blood Pressure, Access to Information

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