This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Fuster, V. Articles by Smaha, L. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Fuster, V. Articles by Smaha, L. Related Collections Other heart failure Acute myocardial infarction Acute Cerebral Infarction

(Circulation. 1999;99:2360.)
© 1999 American Heart Association, Inc.

Cardiovascular News

AHA's New Strategic Impact Goal Designed to Curb Epidemic of Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke

Valentin Fuster, MD, PhD President, American Heart Association

Lynn Smaha, MD, PhD President-Elect, American Heart Association

At a time when many of us are looking toward a new century—even a new millennium—the American Heart Association is also entering a new era. This one is based on a strategic vision that could lead to significant progress in the fight against heart disease and stroke.

It will be an era made possible by the foresight of AHA leaders who in the mid-1990s set a new course for the association with the implementation of what is known as the 21st Century Project. Completion of that project ensures that in the years ahead, the AHA will be a strong and vibrant organization not afraid to explore new paths in its quest to reduce death and disability from cardiovascular diseases and stroke. Specifically, we propose reducing coronary heart disease, stroke, and risk by 25% by 2008.

Impact Strategies

The commitment to do just that was formally approved last summer at the annual meeting of the AHA's Delegate Assembly. Whether we are successful will depend on how well we carry out 3 impact strategies. Two of them relate to health, while the third centers on resources.

The first strategy calls for enhancing prevention of cardiovascular diseases. The specific action goal to carry out the strategy says, "By 2003, of the people at risk, the American Heart Association will double the percentage who will effectively reduce risk factors to goal levels as established by the AHA Guidelines for Primary and Secondary Prevention." As a result, the organization will focus primarily on the risk factors of . . . [Full Text of this Article]

This article has been cited by other articles:

				R. O. Bonow, A. O. Grant, and A. K. Jacobs The Cardiovascular State of the Union: Confronting Healthcare Disparities Circulation, March 15, 2005; 111(10): 1205 - 1207. [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. O. Bonow The Challenge of Balancing Scientific Discovery and Translation Circulation, January 28, 2003; 107(3): 358 - 362. [Full Text] [PDF]