Partners

Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene

Website: www.dhmh.maryland.gov/mha/SitePages/Home.aspx

Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is Maryland’s statewide health agency. The Department’s mission is to protect, promote and improve the health and well being of all Maryland citizens in a fiscally responsible way.

Maryland is committed to doing its part to help the CDC reach the Million Hearts™ goal of preventing 1 million heart attacks and strokes in the United States over five years by emphasizing the ABCS—Aspirin use as appropriate, Blood pressure control, Cholesterol management, and Smoking cessation. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in Maryland, accounting for a quarter of deaths in 2009. Maryland has identified reducing deaths from heart disease as a top priority as part of the State Health Improvement Process, through which Maryland tracks 39 critical health measures in order to improve the health of residents. To do our part in the Million Hearts™ Initiative, Maryland has a series of ongoing and new programs and initiatives that focus on preventing heart disease and its risk factors—high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity and tobacco use—and promoting healthy lifestyles.

These innovations range from clinical management efforts—such as the Maryland Medical Home Program that creates incentives for prevention, wellness and advance care—to community initiatives that aim to transform communities into healthy environments. In addition, Maryland is using the data-driven approach of Governor Martin O’Malley’s StateStat program to improve efficiency and accountability in health promotion and disease prevention efforts. Together, these efforts will help us attain our goal of reducing heart disease and creating a healthier Maryland, and will allow us to assist the CDC as part of the Million Hearts™ initiative.