WISNER, Neb., Feb. 2, 2015 – The AstraZeneca HealthCare Foundation’s Connections for Cardiovascular HealthSM program is awarding a grant of $250,000 to Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health Department to support its Operation Heart to Heart program, which works to improve cardiovascular health in the community. This is the third consecutive year in which Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health Department has received a grant from the AstraZeneca HealthCare Foundation, totaling $750,000.
Operation Heart to Heart aims to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease through education and health screening for agricultural laborers and rural citizens in Burt, Cuming, Madison and Stanton Counties by increasing knowledge and reducing blood pressure and weight, and improving cardiovascular biometric measures.
“We are excited to continue our Operation Heart to Heart program as it has already contributed to positive heart health outcomes over the past two years,” said Gina Uhing, health director, Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health Department. “The Connections for Cardiovascular HealthSM grant has allowed us to truly concentrate our efforts on improving heart health, and we look forward to continuing those efforts in 2015.”
As a result of two years of previous funding from the AstraZeneca HealthCare Foundation, the Operation Heart to Heart program has reached 3,000 people with education and screening services and 66 with intensive case management. Among those participating in blood pressure screening and education, more than 90 percent of those initially unable to correctly identify normal blood pressure were able to do so after receiving education. Among case management participants, blood pressure, triglycerides and glucose all improved markedly, and 66 participants lost a total of 421 pounds.
“Cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of death in the United States, which is why we must find new ways to help prevent and decrease the risks associated with this disease,” said James W. Blasetto, MD, MPH, FACC, chairman of the AstraZeneca HealthCare Foundation. “The AstraZeneca HealthCare Foundation is proud to provide funding to Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health Department’s innovative program to help improve cardiovascular health in their community.”
The Connections for Cardiovascular HealthSM program annually awards grants to U.S.-based nonprofit organizations across the country. More than $2.6 million in grants to 13 organizations will be announced this year. More than $17 million in grants have been awarded through the program since its inception in 2010. In 2015, the Connections for Cardiovascular HealthSM program will award grants from $150,000 to $180,000.
Organizations can learn more and apply online for a Connections for Cardiovascular HealthSM grant at www.astrazeneca-us.com/foundation. Applications must be submitted online no later than 5 p.m. EST on Feb. 26, 2015.