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Frequently Requested Information:
Key CHD Facts:
- Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) consists of problems with the heart’s structure that are present at birth with potential lifelong implications.
- CHD is the most common birth defect.
- 1 in 100 babies are born with CHD.
- Nearly 40,000 infants in the U.S. are born with CHD each year.
- CHD is the leading cause of birth defect related deaths.
- Approximately 25% of babies born with CHD will require life-saving intervention in the first weeks of life.
- Approximately every 15 minutes a family learns their child has CHD.
- There is no cure for CHD.
- Estimates suggest there are 2.4 million Americans living with CHD.
- People with CHD are at risk for serious medical complications and require specialized care for life.
- CHD is now the most common form of heart disease during pregnancy in the U.S.
- Costs for hospitalizations related to congenital heart disease were more than $6 billion in 2013.
For additional information, please reference our CHD Fact Sheet.
The Pediatric Congenital Heart Association’s mission is to “Conquer Congenital Heart Disease.” We are founded on the key purpose to be the resounding voice of the pediatric patient population and are accomplishing this through collaboration with patients, parents, providers, and partner organizations in order to improve quality and outcomes through CHD education, support, research and awareness.
Our key program areas include:
- Patient Advocacy and Policy Work
- Promotion of Federal Research and Surveillance Funding
- Patient Engaged Care and Patient Empowerment
- Patient Education and Support
- Transparency and Public Reporting of Hospital Outcomes
- Quality Improvement
- Sustained Access to Recommended Specialized Care Throughout the Lifespan
- Promotion of Meaningful and Targeted Research