MCHC Mission & Goals

	Mission & Goals
	Board of Directors

Mission & Goals

The mission of the Maine Cardiovascular Health Council is to ensure that all Maine citizens will have the opportunity to benefit from a coordinated approach to chronic disease prevention and management in order to prevent disease and promote optimal health for people with cardiovascular disease and diabetes through policies/laws, programs, services and other resources.

Goals:

to promote cardiovascular health and risk reduction in Maine communities by working cooperatively with other organizations and agencies to improve coordination of resources; and
to serve as the Advisory Council to the Maine CDC's Cardiovascular Health Program.

Within these broad purposes, we provide an opportunity for the exchange of information on methods and procedures used to control CVD risk factors; we develop and promote standards for all phases of control programs; we promote patient, professional, and public education programs; and we actively support legislation to increase the resources needed to improve cardiovascular risk reduction.

Facts

In the United States, as in most industrialized countries, non-communicable chronic diseases are the leading cause of premature death and disability
Heart disease continues to be the number one cause of death in the United States, outnumbering deaths from all cancers and injuries combined.
Mortality from cardiovascular disease accounts for about 40% of all U.S. deaths.
While there has been an overall decline in the rate of deaths due to cardiovascular disease (CVD) since the 1960's, CVD remains the leading cause of death in this country and the leading cause of death in Maine.
Maine's CVD mortality rate in 1990 was 49% (4,533 people) of all deaths and Maine ranks twelfth in the nation for its rate of cardiovascular disease.
CVD also causes large numbers of disabilities and accounts for significant expenses associated with hospital care.

Accomplishments

Reduced the rate of uncontrolled blood pressure in the Maine adult population by 33%
Originated legislation resulting in $20,000 per year for work site blood pressure programs.
Worked with the American Heart Association-Maine Affiliate and the Bureau of Health to prepare cholesterol screening guidelines.
Provided continuing education programs for physicians, office nurses, community screening personnel, and other health professionals.
Educated health professionals and the public through quarterly newsletters, workshops, publications, television, and newspapers.
Actively supported funding for new Cardiovascular Risk Reduction Community Programs, resulting in an allocation of $100,000 to communities.
Organized the Governor's Annual Cardiovascular Health Summit.
Provide staff support for the Governor's Council on Physical Activity