Progress was made during the first half of the decade in improving cardiovascular health. The death rate from coronary heart disease (CHD) declined by 11 percent from 1999 to 2002. The rate for stroke deaths decreased by 10 percent from 1999 to 2002. Hospitalizations due to heart failure among persons aged 65 to 74 years and persons aged 85 years and older declined between 1997 and 1999. In addition, the proportion of adults with high blood pressure (BP) under control rose 28 percent from 1988–94 to 1999–2002. Mean total cholesterol levels achieved 43 percent of the targeted change, and the target for reducing the proportion of persons with high blood cholesterol levels was met in 1999–2002.

The two overarching goals of Healthy People 2010 are to increase the quality and length of healthy life for the U.S. population and to eliminate health disparities. Multiple cardiovascular initiatives are advancing the Nation's overall health and quality of life. Currently, 32 States and the District of Columbia support programs that promote heart-healthy and stroke-free communities; prevent and control heart disease, stroke, and their risk factors; and eliminate disparities among populations.¹ These programs emphasize education, policies, environmental strategies, and system changes to ensure quality of care and to address heart disease and stroke in various settings. Three stroke networks function to increase awareness and enhance stroke prevention and quality of care.¹

Other programs target cardiovascular health disparities that continue to affect select racial and ethnic populations. For example, 12 cardiovascular disease (CVD) Enhanced Dissemination and Utilization Centers serve as community-based education projects designed to prevent and control CVD risk factors and promote heart-healthy behavior in high-risk communities.² The projects are geared to address the heart disease and stroke objectives of Healthy People 2010 with strategies focusing on health care professionals, patients, and the public. REACH 2010 (Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health 2010) programs in 40 communities support local coalitions in designing, implementing, and evaluating community-driven strategies to eliminate health disparities.³ REACH 2010 coalitions use local data to develop a community action plan that addresses CVD or other health priority areas and targets one or more racial or ethnic groups. Community coalitions, in turn, carry out activities outlined in their community action plans and evaluate program activities.