The mission of the Virginia Department of Health's Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention (HDSP) Program is to enhance the State’s capacity to plan, implement, track, and sustain population-based interventions to address heart disease, stroke, and related risk factors. Program efforts are focused on population-based policy and systems change strategies to impact the “ABCS” of heart disease and stroke prevention:
Asprin: Increase low-dose apririn therapy according to recognized guidelines.
Blood pressure: Prevent and control high blood pressure; reduce sodium intake.
Cholesterol: Prevent and control high cholesterol.
Smoking: Increase the number of smokers counseled to quit and referred to quitlines by health care workers; increase availability of no or low-cost cessation products; and collaborate with efforts to increase the percentage of the population protected by smoke-free air laws.
To support these initiatives, the HDSP Project partners with a wide variety of organizations, including local health departments, hospitals, community health centers, public and private healthcare and health-related agencies, academic institutions, and other community-based organizations. The HDSP Project provides technical assistance, resources, and leadership in pursuit of the common interest to reduce and prevent morbidity and mortality of all Virginians from heart disease and stroke.