February marks American Heart Month, a crucial time to raise awareness about heart disease—the leading cause of death in the U.S.

In 2022, one in every five deaths in the U.S. was caused by heart disease. Nearly half of U.S. adults have high blood pressure, which puts them at risk for heart disease and stroke. And just one in four people with high blood pressure has it under control. These staggering numbers emphasize the urgent need for prevention and intervention.

While some risk factors, such as genetics and age, are beyond our control, the good news is that many cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks and strokes, are preventable through lifestyle modifications and proactive healthcare measures.

As a leader in chronic disease prevention, NACDD is committed to advancing heart health initiatives and empowering individuals to take charge of their well-being. NACDD’s cardiovascular health projects focus on the following areas to support prevention and management of cardiovascular disease: 

• Peer Networking – NACDD offers a number of opportunities for Members to engage with colleagues, including through the Cardiovascular Health (CVH) Council, a virtual network of health department program staff, epidemiologists, evaluators, and affiliated partners from across the country. 

• Resources and News – The NACDD CVH team’s weekly newsletter includes information on webinars and calls, national partners’ announcements and resources, and tips from states on various topics. (You can subscribe by selecting “Heart Disease & Stroke Prevention” under the My Email Preferences tab in your Member Profile.)

• Public Health Data Systems – NACDD works with states to promote the adoption of innovative surveillance approaches to spread and evaluate evidence-based strategies to reduce risks, complications, and barriers to the prevention and control of cardiovascular disease. NACDD implements the CDC-funded Multi-state EHR-based Network for Disease Surveillance (MENDS) pilot project. MENDS leverage electronic health record (EHR) data collected in clinical settings and is designed to provide a near real-time, chronic disease surveillance model to plan and evaluate policies and programs.

• Partnerships – NACDD has been a proud national partner of Million Hearts® since 2012 and works with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and many other partners to support the priority areas of Million Hearts®. The Million Hearts® Collaboration, facilitated by the American Heart Association, supports improving cardiovascular health outcomes in a variety of sectors and increases communication and dissemination of key strategies, tools, and evidence-based resources to accomplish established goals.

• Advocacy – NACDD works in consultation with our partner Cornerstone Government Affairs, to educate and engage policymakers in the delivery of preventive health services, best practices, and solutions that can be accomplished for the benefit of every American.

Follow us on social media and join us in driving heart health awareness in your community. Use available resources, engage with your networks, and spread awareness about the importance of heart health. By working together, we can empower individuals, families, and communities to take steps toward healthier hearts and longer lives.

I also encourage you to take a moment to assess your own heart health and consider making small, sustainable changes.

With Heartfelt Commitment,

John W. Robitscher