A Transformative Investment in Research: Tackling America's Leading Birth Defect
The American Heart Association
DALLAS, Feb. 10, 2026 — Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are the most prevalent type of birth defect found in the United States, impacting nearly 1% of all newborns. To empower healthcare professionals with better tools for preventing, diagnosing, and treating these conditions, the American Heart Association, alongside The Children's Heart Foundation, is continuing its support for scientific research by awarding grants to five exceptional researchers through their partnered Congenital Heart Defect Research Awards program.
Over the past decade, the American Heart Association, recognized globally as a premier nonprofit organization dedicated to revolutionizing health outcomes and identified as the largest non-governmental supporter of cardiovascular research, has committed more than $10 million to this meaningful initiative in collaboration with The Children's Heart Foundation, which focuses on funding groundbreaking research related to congenital heart defects.
Thanks to ongoing research efforts, the mortality rate associated with congenital heart disease in the U.S. has significantly declined by 37.5% since 1999. However, despite these advancements, complex congenital heart defects still pose considerable health risks, particularly during the first year of life, where some conditions are linked to heightened mortality.
The latest round of grant funding, totaling over $640,000, will support the following researchers:
- Jennifer Schumacher, Ph.D., from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, focusing on the mechanisms of retinoic acid signaling in aorta development.
- Naoki Konno, Ph.D., at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California, studying congenital heart defects through single-cell evolution and computational perturbation.
- Hao Wang, Ph.D., from the University of South Florida in Tampa, investigating the role of CDK13 in cardiac remodeling.
- Rachel Szymanski, at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, exploring the function of CRL4 in cardiac development.
- Lucas Voce, at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities in Minneapolis, working on the design and development of a growing transcatheter pulmonary stent valve tailored for pediatric patients.
"Congenital heart defects represent the most common birth defect in the country, affecting around 40,000 infants each year. This underscores the importance of sustained investment in rigorous scientific research, as it transitions uncertainty into definitive answers, equipping clinicians and families with essential tools to enhance the lives of CHD patients," stated Dr. Stacey E. Rosen, M.D., FAHA, who serves as the volunteer president of the American Heart Association and as executive director of the Katz Institute for Women's Health, along with her role as senior vice president of women’s health at Northwell Health in New York City.
"We are excited to continue our partnership in funding innovative research on congenital heart defects with the American Heart Association," remarked Terry Morrow, the president and CEO of The Children's Heart Foundation. "Through our combined expertise and commitment, we are accelerating discoveries that not only improve treatment but also save lives and offer hope to families facing the challenges of CHDs."
Researchers who are focused on the prevention and treatment of congenital heart defects are encouraged to apply for funding from both the American Heart Association and The Children's Heart Foundation. For details regarding submission guidelines and upcoming deadlines for the Congenital Heart Defect Research Awards, please visit professional.heart.org/CHDResearchAwards.
New Guidelines for Adults with Congenital Heart Disease
The remarkable advancements in surgical techniques over recent decades have resulted in over 90% of infants born with heart defects in the U.S. surviving into adulthood. This success has led to a burgeoning population of adults living with congenital heart disease (ACHD), who, despite early interventions, continue to face an increased risk of cardiovascular complications as they age.
In December 2025, the American Heart Association, in conjunction with the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and other prominent medical organizations, released a new guideline aimed at managing congenital heart disease in adults. This updated guideline introduces critical additions regarding the involvement of clinicians with specialized knowledge in overseeing the care of adults with congenital heart disease, as well as updates on mental health issues, physical activity recommendations, pregnancy considerations, and heart failure management. Furthermore, it outlines new recommendations tailored to specific types of heart defects and their treatment approaches.
