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Transformation of cardiovascular health: presidential address at the American Heart Association 2009 scientific sessions.

Good afternoon, my name is Clyde Yancy. Welcome to the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2009. Thank you for being here. Today, you are part of the phenomenal tapestry of those attending this meeting.

As I look out in the audience, I see accomplished and new basic and clinical scientists, clinicians, clinical and research nurses, and allied health professionals. I marvel at the collection of AHA past presidents and chairpersons, leaders of our partner national and international professional and volunteer health organizations, and my colleagues here from the American College of Cardiology.

I embrace the volunteers, patients, and family members who are here today; and I appreciate the business professionals, innovators, and media who share our interest in cardiovascular diseases and stroke. Welcome. We have all come together at Scientific Sessions for a singular purpose: to share our interest, our curiosity, our passion, and our intent to “build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.”

Today, I will address the transformation of cardiovascular health. Health care is changing. One year ago, we realized the dawning of epic change—specifically, the potential transformation of American health care. Given the enormity of this moment, we were galvanized to contribute proactively to healthcare reform. Under the leadership of former AHA President Ray Gibbons, the American Heart Association outlined and published the following principles: 

1. Access to care for all persons residing in the United Sates;

2. Enhanced focus on the prevention of disease;

3. Increased quality of care;

4. Elimination of disparate health care;

5. Advancement of research with sustained and consistent funding of the NIH and;

6. An increase in the healthcare workforce.

But healthcare reform per se is not the focus of my comments, as healthcare reform that is not accompanied by a true transformation will only shift the suite of problems. Thus, I will address the …