CDC Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is our nation's prevention agency.  Recognizing the seriousness of heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases in 2006, the CDC created the Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention in part to "plan, direct and coordinate programs to reduce morbidity, risk factors, costs, disability, mortality and disparities associated with cardiovascular diseases."  Though cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer in every state, the CDC only provides 14 states with funding to implement a Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program.  Currently, CDC spends, on average, only 16 cents per person each year on heart disease and stroke prevention, with some states not receiving any money at all.

Congress can help stem the effects of cardiovascular disease and make the U.S. a healthier place to live by ensuring that each state has resources to implement tailored programs to help prevent and control these often deadly and disabling diseases. The American Heart Association’s goal is to secure funding for the CDC to support comprehensive State Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Programs in all 50 states, territories and the District of Columbia.

• CDC Per Capita Investment in Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention
• Fact Sheet: CDC Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program

To further encourage funding for prevention and research, the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association formed the National Coalition for Heart and Stroke Research in 1995.  The coalition's mission is to influence the process by which the executive branch and Congress determine levels of funding for cardiovascular and stroke research in favor of increased allocations.

• National Coalition for Heart and Stroke Research

CDC WISEWOMAN Program

Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of American women. In a recent study, 57 percent of women identified heart disease as the leading cause of death and only 21 percent perceived heart disease their No. 1 health risk. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is our nation's prevention agency. CDC's WISEWOMAN (Well-Integrated Screening and Evaluation of Women Across the Nation) program screens low-income, uninsured women ages 40-64 for heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular disease risk and provides those with abnormal results with counseling, education, referral and follow-up. The program is only funded in 20 states despite the fact that cardiovascular disease is the leading killer of women in every state.

By expanding WISEWOMAN to cover all 50 states, U.S. territories and the District of Columbia, Congress would ensure that uninsured and women get the care they need so they can remain healthy, stay active and spend quality time with their families. 

• CDC WISEWOMAN Program