How Much Funding Has Million Hearts Received: Expert Tell You

Million Hearts' success relies on significant funding contributions, which play a vital role in improving heart health and saving lives.

The Importance of Funding for Million Hearts

Funding is critical for the Million Hearts initiative to implement programs and research to reduce cardiovascular disease. Since its launch in 2012, Million Hearts has receivedover $800 million in funding from both public and private sources to support its efforts to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes by 2017.This funding allows million hearts to support initiatives aimed at increasing awareness of heart disease risks,improving access to preventive care and services, and encouraging healthier behaviors among at-risk populations. Without sufficient financial support, million hearts would struggle to achieve its bold goal of substantially improving cardiovascular health.
More comprehensive information and care guidelines can be read here.

million hearts, funding, person holding Samsung Galaxy Android smartphone
Photo by Bitcoin BCH / Unsplash

The Funding Breakdown: Where Does the Money Go?

Funding through Million Hearts supports a wide range of programs and initiatives aimed at preventing heart disease and stroke. The money is allocated across 5 key areas:

Public awareness campaigns – A significant portion of funding goes towards raising awareness of heart health through public education campaigns. This includes creating educational materials and social media messaging, as well as national events and advertising. The ” Million Hearts” name itself is part of a large public awareness initiative.

Healthcare provider education – Funding is used to provide training, tools and resources for healthcare providers to improve their prevention, detection and management of heart disease and stroke in patients. This includes increasing providers’ knowledge of clinical guidelines and protocols.

Community programs – Funding supports programs delivered by community groups, nonprofits and health organizations focused on improving heart health at the local level. This often includes efforts to increase physical activity, screen for risk factors and promote healthier behaviors.

Health IT systems – A portion of “Million Hearts” funding goes towards improving health information technology systems to track and monitor heart health metrics. This helps provide data to guide the initiative’s policy and programmatic efforts.

Research – Research grants are awarded to study ways to reduce cardiovascular risk and improve prevention efforts. This includes clinical trials of new treatments as well as evaluation research to determine what programs and policies work best.

Together, funding in these core areas aims to create a comprehensive system that reaches the public, healthcare providers and at-risk populations to tackle the nation’s leading killer: heart disease.

million hearts, funding, a close-up of a building
Photo by Florian Peeters / Unsplash

Significant Contributions: Key Donors to Million Hearts

Major private foundations and organizations have been crucial in providing funding to support the goals of Million Hearts. Some of the most significant financial contributors include:

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation – This large health foundation has committed over $100 million to Million Hearts since 2012. Its grants have supported programs to improve hypertension control, prevent heart attacks and strokes, and reduce smoking rates.

Aetna Foundation – The philanthropic arm of Aetna health insurance has contributed millions in donations to Million Hearts focused on addressing inequities in cardiovascular health. Its funding targets underserved communities at highest risk for heart disease.

Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services Innovation Center – This government agency has awarded grants totaling $88 million to organizations testing innovative models that align with Million Hearts goals. Many of these projects aim to integrate clinical and community strategies to improve prevention efforts.

American Heart Association – The nation’s largest heart health non-profit has supported Million Hearts through a number of initiatives. This includes research grants, grants to state public health departments, worksite wellness programs and public awareness campaigns.

PhRMA Foundation – The charitable foundation funded by the pharmaceutical industry has awarded research grants focused on Million Hearts objectives like reducing hypertension and closing gaps in heart health. The foundation has committed over $4 million since 2012.

Private donors have helped expand the reach and impact of Million Hearts beyond what federal agencies alone could fund. Their flexible support has accelerated progress towards reducing cardiovascular deaths and illness nationwide. Going forward, continued engagement from private foundations, nonprofits and corporations will be essential for Million Hearts to achieve its ambitious goals.

million hearts, donations, red metal door with red metal door
Photo by Nick Monge / Unsplash

Measuring Success: Impact of Funding on Heart Health

Funding is essential for Million Hearts to not just support programs but also track metrics that demonstrate the initiative’s progress and impact. Key health outcomes that Million Hearts monitors include:

Smoking rates – Million Hearts set a goal of reducing U.S. smoking rates from 18% to 10% by 2017. Funding supports campaigns and resources that helped contributed to a drop in smoking prevalence to 14% in 2015.

Blood pressure control – The initiative aimed to increase the proportion of patients with high blood pressure that have it under control from 52% to 67%. By 2015, blood pressure control rates among U.S. adults improved to around 60%.

Cholesterol management – Million Hearts sought to increase the proportion of patients with high cholesterol using statins from 68% to 80%. However, cholesterol management remained fairly steady with around 70% of patients using statin medications in 2015.

Heart attack and stroke rates – The primary goal of Million Hearts is to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes by 2017. Data suggest that heart disease death rates declined by around 11% from 2011 to 2015, though the total decline slightly missed the million mark.

Overall, funding has allowed Million Hearts to track key health outcomes that indicate some progress but also areas where the initiative is falling short of its goals. The data and metrics are crucial for informing priorities, funding decisions and quality improvement efforts going forward. By tracking success metrics tied to funding, Million Hearts can ensure that its strategies and programs are having the intended impact on cardiovascular health.

million hearts, funding, MacBook Pro beside silver monitor on table
Photo by Kari Shea / Unsplash

More Helpful Guide

Frequently Asked Question

What is the evidence that the Million Hearts model can reduce heart attacks and strokes?

Evidence shows that improving control of blood pressure and cholesterol through the Million Hearts model can significantly reduce heart attacks and strokes.

How can workplaces create a culture of health with Million Hearts?

Workplaces can create a culture of health with Million Hearts by offering insurance coverage for preventive services, implementing smoke-free policies, and providing opportunities for physical activity.

Which government organizations sponsor the Million Hearts initiative?

Million Hearts is co-led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

How can clinicians better manage blood pressure according to Million Hearts?

Clinicians can better manage blood pressure according to Million Hearts by using team-based care, setting blood pressure goals, following treatment protocols, and using health IT tools.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top