WASHINGTON, Sept. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The American Pharmacists
Association (APhA) announced it has joined the newly launched
Million Hearts Initiative, a coordinated approach to preventing
cardiovascular disease and stroke in the U.S. Co-led by the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Centers for
Disease Control (CDC) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Services (CMS), the initiative’s goal is to prevent 1 million heart
attacks and strokes, over the next five years, by reducing the
number of people who need treatment and improving the quality of
treatment for those who need it.
Cardiovascular disease is a major health concern in America,
causing 1 of every 3 deaths. With over 2 million heart attacks and
strokes each year, cardiovascular disease causes an enormous loss
of life and carries a huge financial burden for our country,
accounting for about $1 of every $6 spent on health care.
Hypertension and hyperlipidemia are primary contributing
cardiovascular health risks. These two conditions combined affect
more than 80 million Americans annually.
“The Million Hearts Initiative presents an opportunity for
pharmacists to reach out to their patients with a range of
pharmacy-based cardiovascular maintenance services,” stated Thomas
Menighan, APhA CEO and Executive Vice President. “The HHS, CDC and
CMS have asked APhA pharmacists to be principal partners in this
initiative, along with the AMA and the ANA, recognizing the
important role we play in patient care. Pharmacists are ideally
positioned to help manage blood pressure and cholesterol medication
therapy and empower patients to take control of their
cardiovascular health by adhering to their medication regimens. I
urge pharmacists in every setting to partner with their patients
and other healthcare providers to take action on the goals of this
initiative.”
As the public’s most accessible health care provider, phar
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