AANP Announces Partnership with Million Hearts™

AUSTIN (Feb. 21) -- The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners is proud to announce our partnership with Million Hearts™, a national initiative launched by the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services to prevent one million heart attacks and strokes in the U. S. over the next five years. Nurse practitioners have played a major role in the prevention of heart disease and stroke and will work with Million Hearts™ to help achieve its goals of reducing the number of people who need treatment and improving the lives of those who do. Additional information is available at http://millionhearts.hhs.gov.

“As we brace for the influx of an anticipated 32 million Americans who will join the rolls of the insured upon enactment of the Affordable Care Act, we are facing a health care crisis of unmatched proportions. With the number of physicians who provide primary care on the steep decline, AANP is launching this effort to educate Americans that nurse practitioners offer a viable, professional and compassionate health care alternative. AANP is proud to take the lead in this effort,” Dr. Jensen added.

With advanced degrees at the Master’s and Doctoral levels, the nation’s 155,000 nurse practitioners are skilled diagnosticians and clinicians who treat acute and chronic illness, and prescribe medications. Eighty-nine percent specialize in primary care fields, including gerontology, pediatrics, women’s health and family care. Many work in under-served rural communities. The extent to which NPs can practice autonomously, however, varies widely from state to state and is governed by local regulations and law.

Through aggressive and strategic media, advertising and Public Service Announcement campaigns, AANP will aim to increase awareness among Americans and insurance providers that nurse practitioners are licensed, qualified and capable primary care providers. AANP will also undertake a community-based grassroots education campaign wherein members will routinely visit local community organizations, rotary clubs, church groups, community fairs, health expos and the like, where they will discuss local nurse practitioner resources and provide valuable information about how patients can find a local NP as a primary care provider.