Merck Foundation Launches $22M Initiative To Advance Equity In Cardiac Care

Merck known as MSD outside the United States and Canada the Merck Foundation has now announced the Collaborative for Equity in Cardiac Care, a five-year, $22 million program focused on improving access to quality, person-centered care for people living with heart conditions in the U.S. Eleven organizations have received grants to implement evidence-based programs addressing barriers to cardiovascular care in underserved communities.

Led by the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Equity as the National Program Office, the initiative will support grantees in building partnerships, fostering peer learning, and evaluating outcomes. The selected organizations represent a diverse mix of healthcare systems, universities, and community clinics across the country, united in their mission to improve cardiac health and develop scalable care models.

This effort continues the Merck Foundation’s legacy of community health investment, following programs like the Alliance for Equity in Cancer Care. By targeting both clinical and social factors that affect heart disease outcomes, the foundation aims to create lasting improvements in cardiac care delivery nationwide.