Pharmacy Podcast Episode 70 Dr Janet Wright Executive Director Million Hearts Initiative

The Initiative

Heart disease and stroke are the first and fourth leading causes of death in the United States. Heart disease is responsible for 1 of every 3 deaths in the country. Million Hearts™ is a national initiative that has set an ambitious goal to prevention 1 million heart attacks and strokes by 2017. The impact will be even greater over time.

Million Hearts™ aims to prevent heart disease and stroke by:

Improving access to effective care.

Improving the quality of care for the ABCS.

Focusing clinical attention on the prevention of heart attack and stroke.

Activating the public to lead a heart-healthy lifestyle.

Improving the prescription and adherence to appropriate medications for the ABCS.

The Million Hearts™ initiative will focus, coordinate, and enhance cardiovascular disease prevention activities across the public and private sectors in an unprecedented effort to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes over five years and demonstrate to the American people that improving the health system can save lives. Million Hearts™ will scale-up proven clinical and community strategies to prevent heart disease and stroke across the nation.

Million Hearts™ brings together existing efforts and new programs to improve health across communities and help Americans live longer, healthier, more productive lives. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services are the co-leaders of Million Hearts™ within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, working alongside other federal agencies including the Administration on Aging, National Institutes of Health, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and the Food and Drug Administration, among many others.

Janet Wright, Executive Director, Million Hearts, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services