Community Health Receives Gold for Heart Health Quality
Rutland – Community Health has been recognized for its leadership in heart health initiatives by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Heart disease affects 42,000 Vermonters each year and is a leading cause of death in Vermont and overall in the U.S. In Rutland County, heart disease deaths occur at a rate higher than the statewide average, supporting Community Health's focus on heart health prevention.
Having met or exceeded three target goals set in 2024 among primary care patients, the Community Health Quality Recognition Heart Health badge recognizes notable achievements in the areas of access, quality, health information technology, and health outcomes. Data gathered annually is used to evaluate targeted goals and programs that address heart health and cardiovascular disease prevention.
The three areas of achievement by Community Health include:
Tobacco-use screening and cessation intervention Ischemic Vascular Disease (IVD) use of aspirin or other antiplatelet Statin therapy for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease
"I am proud of our health prevention efforts, especially in regard to heart disease and caring for our community," said Mike Gardner, CEO.
Heart disease is preventable, but according to statewide data, Vermonters are more likely to die from a largely preventable disease, like heart disease, than an infectious disease. The 3-4-50 initiative is a simple concept that can lead to understanding heart disease and prevention – 3 health behaviors lead to 4 chronic diseases that claim the lives of more than 50% of Vermonters.
