There are a variety of tools and programs available to incorporate health systems change into the structure of health care settings. These tools are free to use and can be implemented in a variety of settings to identify patients who are at risk for heart disease and assist patients with achieving proper blood pressure control, cholesterol control, and optimal cardiovascular health.
Million Hearts®
Million Hearts is a national initiative from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to prevent one million heart attacks and strokes by 2022, utilizing:
- Standardized, evidence-based protocols for cholesterol management, tobacco cessation, and hypertension treatment
- Action guides for clinicians, employers, and public health practitioners
- A set of tools for providers and patients to enhance heart disease and stroke prevention and treatment efforts
You and your organization can become a Million Hearts Hypertension Control Champion through participating in the Hypertension Control Challenge and reaching 80% control rates among hypertensive patients.
Target: BP
Target: BP is a national initiative launched by the American Heart Association and the American Medical Association to improve blood pressure control and build a healthier nation providing:
- Blood pressure improvement support
- Self-measured blood pressure
- Additional tools for health care organizations and care teams to use to improve blood pressure control
You and your organization can become recognized by Target: BP by achieving at least a 70% control rate among patients.
National Center on Health, Physical Activity, and Disability
The National Center on Health works to help people with disability and other chronic health conditions improve their health status. The NCHPAD welcomes partnership with organizations dedicated to decrease the burden of chronic disease and obesity in the population.
Resources for Community Health Workers
In partnership with the Florida Community Health Worker Coalition, the Helping Hearts CHI Referrals and Services is an initiative to establish and sustain a statewide bi-directional referral pathway between health systems and social service and lifestyle-change program providers to ensure patients with uncontrolled hypertension or hypercholesterolemia receive services based on their assessed needs. The Helping Hearts Program includes:
- CHI referral form development
- Electronic bi-directional referral platform
- CHW training on CHI referral and services
- CHI service delivery
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