Bill Summary
The resolution designates September 2025 as "National Cholesterol Education Month" and September 30, 2025, as "LDL-C Awareness Day." It highlights the growing concern over cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of death in the U.S., and emphasizes the importance of understanding and managing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. The resolution points out that elevated LDL-C is a major modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks and strokes. Despite existing guidelines and resources, a significant portion of patients with high LDL-C levels do not receive proper treatment or screening, particularly among vulnerable populations. The resolution aims to raise awareness about cholesterol management, encourage individuals to know their LDL-C levels, and promote better access to care to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events.
Possible Impacts
Here are three examples of how the resolution designating September 2025 as "National Cholesterol Education Month" and September 30, 2025, as "LDL-C Awareness Day" could affect people:
1. **Increased Awareness and Education**: The designation of National Cholesterol Education Month and LDL-C Awareness Day will likely lead to increased public awareness about cholesterol levels and their impact on heart health. Educational campaigns could inform individuals about the importance of knowing their LDL-C numbers, how to manage cholesterol levels, and the risks associated with high LDL-C. This could empower people to take proactive steps in monitoring their health and making lifestyle changes to reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease.
2. **Enhanced Screening and Treatment**: This resolution may encourage healthcare providers to prioritize LDL-C testing and screenings, especially for populations at higher risk, such as those in rural areas and African-American adults who may not receive adequate care. By advocating for better screening practices and adherence to treatment guidelines, the resolution could lead to more individuals receiving necessary medical interventions, such as statin therapy, which can significantly lower LDL-C levels and reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
3. **Focus on Health Disparities**: By highlighting the disparities in cardiovascular disease prevalence and care access, particularly in rural communities and among certain racial groups, the resolution could prompt policymakers and health organizations to address these inequities. This might result in targeted public health initiatives, increased funding for healthcare access in underserved regions, and tailored interventions that aim to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease among vulnerable populations, ultimately improving health outcomes and reducing mortality rates.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 464 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. RES. 464
Designating September 2025 as ``National Cholesterol Education Month''
and September 30, 2025, as ``LDL-C Awareness Day''.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
October 23, 2025
Mrs. Hyde-Smith (for herself, Mr. Peters, Mr. Boozman, Mr. Marshall,
Mr. Daines, and Mr. Padilla) submitted the following resolution; which
was considered and agreed to
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Designating September 2025 as ``National Cholesterol Education Month''
and September 30, 2025, as ``LDL-C Awareness Day''.
Whereas cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for men and women
in the United States;
Whereas projected rates of cardiovascular disease are expected to increase
significantly in the United States by 2060;
Whereas, compared to urban areas, rural areas in the United States have higher
death rates for cardiovascular disease and stroke, and a 40 percent
higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease;
Whereas risk factors contributing to cardiovascular disease and poor health
outcomes include elevated low density lipoprotein cholesterol (referred
to in this preamble as ``LDL-C''), high levels of lipoprotein(a)
cholesterol, hypertension, obesity, low awareness of personal risk
factors, genetics, geographic location, and inequitable access to care;
Whereas lipoprotein(a) cholesterol is predominantly genetically inherited and
can build up in the walls of blood vessels, creating cholesterol
deposits, or plaques, and lead to atherosclerotic cardiovascular
disease;
Whereas LDL-C is a modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and having
lower LDL-C is associated with a reduced risk of heart attack and
stroke;
Whereas more than 25.5 percent of adults in the United States have high LDL-C;
Whereas more than 200 studies with more than 2,000,000 patients have broadly
established that elevated LDL-C causes atherosclerotic cardiovascular
disease;
Whereas atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is the build-up of cholesterol
plaque within the walls of arteries and includes acute coronary
syndrome, peripheral arterial disease, and events such as heart attacks
and strokes;
Whereas the resources needed to bend the curve on cardiovascular disease exist,
yet 71 percent of hypercholesterolemia patients at high risk of a
cardiovascular event never achieve recommended LDL-C treatment guideline
thresholds;
Whereas only 33 percent of individuals with atherosclerotic cardiovascular
disease who are taking statins, a guideline recommended lipid-lowering
therapy, actually achieve LDL-C goals;
Whereas, although clinical guidelines recommend that a patient hospitalized for
heart attack receive an LDL-C test in the 90 days following discharge
from a hospital, only 27 percent of patients receive the test;
Whereas African-American adults are less likely to receive an LDL-C test in the
90 days following discharge from a hospital, despite having a higher
prevalence of cardiovascular disease;
Whereas significant gaps in care may lead to subsequent cardiovascular events;
Whereas the Million Hearts program seeks to improve access to and quality of
care to reduce heart disease, stroke, and death; and
Whereas September is recognized as National Cholesterol Education Month to raise
awareness of cardiovascular disease and the importance of individuals
knowing their LDL-C number: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) encourages all individuals in the United States to know
their low density lipoprotein cholesterol (referred to in this
resolution as ``LDL-C'') number;
(2) designates September 2025 as ``National Cholesterol
Education Month'';
(3) designates September 30, 2025, as ``LDL-C Awareness
Day''; and
(4) recognizes the urgent need for screening and treating
of elevated LDL-C to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease
and cardiovascular events, including heart attacks and strokes.
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