Heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases are the leading causes of death, disability and healthcare costs in our nation today. It accounts for approximately 1 in 4 deaths in the United States, is the leading cause of health disparities, and contributes almost a billion dollars a day annually in medical costs.^{[ 1 ]}

While much of this is preventable, several local and national initiatives have been launched to help alleviate the burden of cardiovascular disease. Local health departments (LHDs) play a critical role in identifying local-level strategies to advance policy, systems, and environmental changes to reduce the risk factors for cardiovascular disease, as well as reduce health disparities through community and health system interventions.

NACCHO supports local health departments identify evidence-based prevention strategies, information and resources to advance local practice and to educate the public on the importance of preventing heart attack and stroke in the United States.

NACCHO is a member of the Million Hearts®Collaborative and partners with CDC's Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention to lead the Cardiovascular Health Community of Practice (CoP). Members of the CoP learn and share through targeted webinars, resources, and technical assistance activities focused on cardiovascular health. Members are also able to connect with national partners, subject matter experts and other municipalities doing similar work.

To join the Cardiovascular Health CoP, please contact us at [email protected].

To learn more about cardiovascular health or to share resource, please reach out to [email protected]

¹ CDC, NCHS. Underlying Cause of Death 1999-2013 on CDC WONDER Online Database<wonder.cdc.gov/ucd-icd10.html>, released 2015. Data are from the Multiple Cause of Death Files, 1999-2013, as compiled from data provided by the 57 vital statistics jurisdictions through the Vital Statistics Cooperative Program. Accessed Feb. 3, 2015.