About the Collaborative
The Collaborative for Equity in Cardiac Care (CECC) is a five-year national initiative focused on improving access to high-quality, person-centered care for people with cardiovascular conditions living in under-resourced U.S. communities. Funded by the Merck Foundation, the Collaborative supports 11 nonprofit health care and public health organizations, along with a National Program Office, all known for their deep community ties, partnerships, and expertise in delivering person-centered care.
The 11 program partners will use community-engaged approaches to co-create and tailor programs to the distinct needs of the populations they serve, and implement solutions that aim to address both the medical and social needs of individuals living with cardiovascular conditions.
The Collaborative aims to bridge gaps in access to high-quality cardiovascular care by supporting the implementation of evidence-informed programs across sites, strengthening health and social service integration, and ensure all efforts are grounded in community-based systems of care.
About the Partners
The Collaborative program partners are implementing evidence-informed, community-focused programs that will help bridge gaps in cardiac care. These efforts include integrating community health workers (CHWs) into clinical settings, strengthening referral pathways and care coordination, and co-creating culturally grounded workforce training and initiatives—all aimed at improving cardiovascular care outcomes.
Together, the 11 partners will collaborate across sites to build capacity, address common challenges, and share innovations to accelerate equitable access to high-quality care.