The History of the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association has focused on studying, preventing and educating the public on heart disease since the early 20th century. Before the American Heart Association was founded, there were many misconceptions surrounding heart disease, and the common treatment for it was bed rest. Today, the American Heart Association is a thriving institution, nationally recognized as the leading educator on heart disease.
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Association for the Prevention and Relief of Heart Disease
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The Association for the Prevention and Relief of Heart Disease was the first organized effort focused on heart disease in the United States. Physicians and social workers formed the group in 1915 in New York City.
National Organization
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In 1924, the American Heart Association was founded. It was a national organization started by physicians in New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago and St. Louis. They knew that research into heart disease had to be shared, and further study needed to be supported.
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Fund-Raising on the Radio
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As an effort to get the public aware of the American Heart Association, the organization participated in a fund-raising radio show in 1948 called "The Walking Man," part of "Truth or Consequences." The purpose of the show was to guess who the mystery guest was. Callers had to donate to the American Heart Association in order to guess, and the American Heart Association raised $1.75 million during the radio show.
Shifting Focus in the 1980s
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Where previously the American Heart Association focused on the study of heart disease in white men, it expanded its goals and research in the 1980s. The American Heart Association now focuses on heart disease in women and minorities, in addition to white men.
1990s and Today
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Starting in the 1990s, the American Heart Association began to shift from its role as a scientific society. It now focuses more on outreach and the prevention of heart disease, with grassroots organizing and public participation, and now identifies itself as a public health agency.
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