Million Hearts

Launched in September 2011 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Million Hearts aims to prevent one million heart attacks and strokes by 2017 by improving clinical care and facilitating healthy choices through community-based initiatives. The program will leverage and enhance efforts of private and public sectors to these ends, especially by encouraging the "ABCS" (Aspirin treatment for people at risk, Blood pressure control, Cholesterol management, and Smoking cessation). Partners include other federal agencies in the Department of Health and Human Services, American Heart Association, and other private sector organizations.

Million Hearts seeks to prevent one million heart attacks and strokes in the next five years (by 2017) by coordinating cardiovascular prevention implementations in its private-public partnerships.

Million Hearts has already produced multiple public and private partnerships committed to this initiative's goals. For example, Walgreens will provide blood pressure testing for free upon consultation with a Walgreens pharmacist or Take Care Clinic Nurse Practitioner. In addition, Department of Health and Human Services is pledging $200 million in new and renewed investments that coincide with the goals of Million Hearts. The many efforts by various organizations will help Million Hearts reach its goal.