Driven by demographic shifts and increasing risk factors, at least 60% of U.S. adults are projected to have some form of cardiovascular disease, with related health care costs expected to triple according to research from the American Heart Association. This alarming projection underscores the urgent need for innovative approaches to address not only clinical care but also the social determinants that shape cardiovascular health, including access to coverage, transportation, nutritious food, and stress-reducing support.
In response to these challenges, the American Heart Association has recognized two community-focused innovators through its 2026 Impact with Heart program. The initiative, showcased during honors in New York City on January 28, 2026, highlights scalable solutions designed to make health care and essential benefits more accessible nationwide. Impact with Heart supports local entrepreneurs and organizations through the Association's Social Impact Funds and its venture philanthropy program, as well as the EmPOWERED to Serve Business Accelerator™, pairing investment capital with coaching and strategic guidance.
This year's honorees include Mammha, a Miami-based Social Impact Funds portfolio company transforming perinatal mental health care. Founded and led by CEO Maureen Fura, Mammha's text- and web-based platform streamlines maternal mental health screening, referral, and treatment both in clinics and remotely. The platform helps more mothers experiencing depression and anxiety receive timely, culturally relevant support, addressing a critical component of overall health that impacts cardiovascular outcomes.
The second recognized organization is ThriveLink, a St. Louis-based EmPOWERED to Serve Business Accelerator alumnus using AI-powered voice technology to enroll families in essential programs like Medicaid, food assistance, and utility support. Founded by CEO Kwamane Liddell, ThriveLink removes internet and literacy barriers by allowing people to complete complex applications by voice, reducing paperwork obstacles and connecting families to life-changing resources. A recent investment by the Social Impact Funds is accelerating ThriveLink's reach, demonstrating how strategic funding can scale community-based solutions.
"The American Heart Association has a long history of impact, but the challenges ahead demand new approaches, new partnerships and bold leadership," said Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association. "What you see through Impact with Heart are powerful examples of what's possible when mission-driven innovators are given the resources, trust and support to scale ideas that remove barriers to care and improve lives."
The Association's Social Impact Funds, launched in 2018 as part of American Heart Association Ventures, support for-profit and nonprofit organizations tackling key social drivers of health through equity investments, loans, and grants. Research published in Circulation forecasts the growing burden of cardiovascular disease through 2050, while another advisory in the same journal addresses structural racism as a fundamental driver of health disparities. The EmPOWERED to Serve Business Accelerator provides philanthropic support and an MBA-style curriculum that helps health-focused entrepreneurs refine business models and prepare to scale solutions addressing food security, access to care, and community impact.
These recognitions come at a critical time as cardiovascular disease continues to represent a significant public health challenge. The American Heart Association's approach through Impact with Heart demonstrates how supporting community-based innovation can address the complex social factors influencing health outcomes, potentially creating models for scalable intervention as the nation faces rising cardiovascular disease prevalence and costs.
