The Department of Health and Human Services announced Tuesday it is launching a public-private initiative aimed at preventing 1 million heart attacks and strokes over the next five years.
HHS announced the Million Hearts initiative will aim at encouraging Americans to make healthy choices, such as not smoking and reducing consumption of foods with sodium and trans fat.
HHS said it also wants to improve care for people who need treatment by focusing on giving asperin to people at risk, blood pressure control, cholesterol management and smoking cessation.
“Heart disease causes 1 of every 3 American deaths and constitutes 17-percent of overall national health spending,†HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said. “By enlisting partners from across the health sector, Million Hearts will create a national focus on combating heart disease.â€
HHS also announced $200 million in new investments to achieve the goals of Million Hearts.
Will the initative also include diet and exercise as factors in heart disease?