Building a Healthier Mississippi: Our 2026-2027 Policy Priorities
October 7, 2026
Building a healthier Mississippi takes more than awareness. It requires policies that help prevent disease, improve health outcomes, and ensure communities are prepared when emergencies happen. As we look ahead to the 2027 Mississippi Legislative Session, the American Heart Association is advocating for policy solutions that help more Mississippi students, families, and communities lead longer, healthier lives.
Strengthening Cardiac Emergency Preparedness in Schools
Sudden cardiac arrest can happen to anyone, anywhere, and often without warning. When a cardiac emergency occurs, every second counts. Immediate CPR and quick access to an automated external defibrillator (AED) can significantly improve survival and save lives.
In 2024, Mississippi took an important step forward by passing Cardiac Emergency Response Plans (CERPs) legislation. This law requires schools to have plans for responding to cardiac emergencies. Now, the Heart Association is working to build on that progress by improving access to AEDs in schools and athletic facilities.
Quick access to AEDs can help ensure students, staff, coaches, and visitors receive a rapid response during a cardiac emergency. Expanding access to these lifesaving devices can strengthen cardiac emergency preparedness and help create safer school environments across the Mississippi.
Student Athlete Heart Assessments
Student athletes may have underlying heart conditions that can go undetected until a serious cardiac event occurs. Identifying potential concerns early can help families and health care professionals take appropriate steps to protect a student’s health and safety.
The heart is a complex organ, and there’s no single test that can detect all indicators of heart conditions. That’s why the American Heart Association, the American College of Cardiology and the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Association support including a heart assessment as part of a student athlete’s sports physical. The assessment includes a physical exam and a review of personal and family history, helping identify serious conditions that may need additional evaluation or testing.
This evidence-based approach empowers families and health care professionals to decide together what’s best, and help every student athlete stay healthy, safe, and in the game—from preseason to playoffs.
Expanding Access to Healthy School Meals
No child should have to worry about being hungry at school. When students have access to healthy meals, they are better prepared to learn, stay focused in the classroom, and reach their full potential.
That’s why The American Heart Association supports increasing school participation in the federal Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). The program allows eligible schools to offer breakfast and lunch to all students at no charge.
By making healthy school meals available to every student, CEP helps reduce hunger, remove barriers to meal access, and reduce the stigma often associated with free and reduced-price meal programs. It also helps ensure more children receive the nutrition they need to support their health, well-being, and academic success.
Visit our Mississippi School Meals Action Center to learn more and get involved.
Moving Mississippi Forward
These priorities represent just a portion of our work across the state. View the full 2026-2027 Mississippi State & Community Policy Agenda (PDF)
We’ll continue to keep you informed about our policy priorities. Watch for Heart Powered alerts to learn about opportunities to take action, share your story, and help advance meaningful change in Mississippi.
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