The American Heart Association is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is: “Building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.”

The mission statement was updated by the American Heart Association during its Annual Meeting in April 2007. The mission statement undergoes a formal review process every third year.

The association’s impact goal is to reduce coronary heart disease, stroke and risk by 25 percent by 2010. Progress toward the goal will be measured according to these indicators:

• Reduce the death rate from coronary heart disease and stroke by 25 percent.

• Reduce the prevalence of smoking, high blood cholesterol and physical inactivity by 25 percent.

• Reduce the rate of uncontrolled high blood pressure by 25 percent.

• Eliminate the growth of obesity and diabetes.

The American Heart Association is divided physically into the National Center (located in Dallas, Texas) and eight affiliate offices that cover the United States and Puerto Rico. Our operations are divided into seven main areas that are listed below. Millions of volunteers and donors support our efforts every year.

National Center Divisions and Departments

Office of Chief Executive Officer

• Administration (Board of Directors, Delegate Assembly, Nominating and Awards, Committee Appointments)

• Communications (Celebrity Initiative/Entertainment Industry Management, Media Advocacy, News Media Relations, Public Relations, Advertising)

• Legal (Licensing and Records Management, Legal Services, Conflict of Interest Review Committee, Copyright Permissions)

• Food Certification

• Consumer Publications

Advocacy

• Public Advocacy (Washington, D.C.)

• Health Initiatives and Field Advocacy (State/Local Public Policy)

• Minority Initiatives

Corporate Operations

• Finance (Affiliate Financial Services, Financial Systems and Training Support)

• Human Resources (Personnel, Training/Organizational Development, HRIS)

• Production and Distribution (Design and Media Services, Facilities and Office Services, Editorial Services, Purchasing)

• Audit and Consulting Services

Field Operations and Development

• Development (Heart Walk, Annual Campaign Planning and Management, Direct Response, Gala Event Consultation, School Site Fundraising)

• Major Donor Development (Planned Giving Program, Major Gift Program, Leadership Campaign)

• Corporate Relations (Corporate Sponsorships, Corporate Partnerships)

• Strategic Accounts (Pharmaceutical Roundtable)

• Emergency Cardiovascular Care Programs (ECC Marketing, ECC Product Development, ECC Science, Training and Field Operations, International ECC Publications and Programs)

• American Stroke Association (Consumer Education, Professional Education, Stroke Family Support Network, Train To End Stroke)

Healthcare Markets

• American Stroke Association

• Strategic Alliances

• Get With The Guidelines

• Patient Education

For more information, please visit our website at www.americanheart.org

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