42 U.S.C. § 285b–9 — HHS valvular heart disease activities

(a) In general. The Secretary must, as appropriate, keep doing research, education, and awareness work on valvular heart diseases. (b) NIH research related to valvular heart diseases. (1) The Director of NIH, consulting with the Director of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, may support or conduct research on valvular heart diseases. (2) To better understand what causes these diseases and their risk factors, this research may include: (A) using advanced imaging and other methods to gather data on valvular heart disease; (B) assessing possible risk factors for sudden cardiac arrest or death caused by valvular heart disease; and (C) other work to improve available information and advance research. (3) Within 2 years of December 20, 2022, the Director of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute must hold a workshop of experts and stakeholders to find research needs and make recommendations for identifying and treating mitral valve prolapse, including patients at risk of sudden cardiac arrest or death. (c) Prevention activities to improve awareness of sudden cardiac death as a result of valvular heart diseases. (1) The Secretary may run activities to increase education and awareness of valvular heart disease to reduce sudden cardiac deaths it causes, including (A) awarding grants or contracts to public or nonprofit groups, and (B) giving technical assistance directly or through grants or contracts. (2) When data is available, these projects may include: (A) continuing CDC's existing valvular heart disease work; (B) raising public awareness of risk factors, symptoms, and the public health impact of valvular heart disease; and (C) improving public health data collection on cardiac arrests, including those outside hospitals. (3) When awarding grants or contracts, the Secretary may prioritize groups serving the populations most affected by valvular heart disease. (4) The Secretary must coordinate this work with other HHS agencies and offices working on valvular heart disease. (5) The Secretary must identify and share best practices for health care providers on valvular heart disease. (d) Authorization of appropriations. Congress authorizes $28,000,000 for each fiscal year from 2023 through 2027 to carry out this section.