RANCHO MIRAGE — Million Hearts — a national initiative by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to prevent one million heart attacks and strokes in five years — is recognizing hospitals and health systems such as Eisenhower Health that excel in preventing cardiovascular events through the new Million Hearts Hospitals & Health Systems Recognition Program.

About 1.5 million people in the United States have a heart attack or stroke each year, according to the CDC.

Eisenhower Health partnered with the CDC as a pilot program becoming the first hospital in the United States to be recognized as a Million Hearts Hospital, according to a news release.

Million Hearts 2022 is a national initiative co-led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to prevent one million heart attacks and strokes within 5 years. It focuses on a small set of priorities selected for their ability to reduce heart disease, stroke, and related conditions. CDC’s Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention provides leadership and support for the Million Hearts initiative, which began in 2012. The agency collaborates extensively with CMS, sets priorities, and leads the communications, partnership development, research, translation, and evaluation efforts for the initiative.

“Through this initiative, Eisenhower Health collaborated with many partners, including Eisenhower Desert Cardiology Center, Renker Wellness Center, Café 34 (the hospital’s cafeteria) and dietary services with Morrison Healthcare and Canteen vending services, Eisenhower Lucy Curci Cancer Center, and the hospital’s Marketing and Public Relations department,” Patricia Cummings, PhD, MPH, Epidemiologist, and lead for implementing Million Hearts at Eisenhower Health, said in a prepared statement. “We are thankful to these partners for helping us achieve this prestigious recognition.”

The Million Hearts Hospital & Health Systems Recognition Program acknowledges institutions working to systematically improve the cardiovascular health of the population and communities they serve through the priority areas of: 1) Keeping People Healthy, 2) Optimizing Care, 3) Improving Outcomes for Priority Populations, and 4) Innovating for Health.

The program also creates new opportunities to promote innovative approaches to tackle the leading causes of heart disease and stroke. The Million Hearts Hospital & Health Systems Recognition Program is an on-ramp for hospitals to get involved in Million Hearts and to be appreciated for the work they are doing. It also enables participants to identify new areas and ways in which they can prevent cardiovascular events. Some 1.6 million people in the U.S. have a heart attack or stroke each year.

“High-performing hospitals and health systems can have lifesaving impact preventing heart attacks and stroke. Through the Million Hearts Initiative, we aim to highlight these hospitals and health systems’ commitment to prevention as we work together to inspire even greater innovation and achievement,” Dr. Laurence Sperling, executive director of Million Hearts, id in a prepared statement.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Image Sources

  • Million Hearts: Eisenhower Health