Meet the American Heart Association and find out more about their mission.

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The Problem

‍Heart disease and stroke are the No. 1 and No. 4 killers in Alabama, respectively, accounting for more than 16,000 deaths each year. Heart disease is also the No. 1 cause of death among women, claiming 1 in 3 women each year – more than all cancers combined. Each year, more than 350,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in the United States, and the national bystander CPR response rate (meaning, the chances of another person stepping in to perform CPR) is 40 percent. Here in Birmingham, that response rate is less than 10 percent.

 

History of the Charity

The American Heart Association was founded on June 10, 1924, by six cardiologists who made a world-changing decision to start a professional society for doctors. At the time, heart disease was considered a death sentence. The best option for many people was bed rest. There was no treatment, no hope. But our founders felt that if we only understood heart disease, treatments would follow. Over time, the society evolved into a national voluntary health organization, and today, more than a century later, the American Heart Association is a global force for equity, knowledge, discovery and advocacy – fueled by the dedication of nearly 3,000 employees nationwide and millions of volunteers and supporters. Today, our mission is to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives.

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Stories of Achievement

‍Since the 1970s, the American Heart Association has invested more than $80 million in research here in Alabama to combat heart disease and stroke. In our communities, we're tackling nutrition security to ensure everyone, regardless of their zip code, has access to fresh, healthy food for their families. We've successfully advocated for smoke-free ordinances with municipal and county leaders across the region, implemented “Complete Streets” policies to make streets safer and more walkable, and expanded maternal health services across Alabama. Through our “Libraries with Heart” with local public libraries, we're addressing hypertension by bringing essential resources directly to our community members to help them learn how to manage and control their blood pressure.

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We're actively working to ensure that at least one person in every household knows how to perform Hands-Only CPR. We continue to expand our partnerships with local organizations and businesses, including the YMCA of Greater Birmingham and Birmingham Fire & Rescue, to teach this lifesaving skill to as many community members as possible. As always, we continue to make strides in raising community awareness and educating about risk factors, warning signs, and local resources for heart and brain health through our events, marketing campaigns, and coalition efforts.

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Goals Moving Forward

‍Despite the progress we’ve made, there is still so much more to be done to effectively address the threat of heart disease and stroke. We hope to continue investing in our community through research and advocacy, and by meeting people where they live, work and play to ignite change and empower them to live longer, healthier lives.

 

How to Support

‍People can make a donation to support our mission by visitingheart.org/alabama. We also need volunteers for events throughout the year. In particular, participating in our local Birmingham Heart Walk is a great way to get involved with the American Heart Association that can include your family, friends or employer.