Applications Now Being Accepted for Womenheart National Hospital Alliance Membership Grants

WASHINGTON, April 8, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease has announced that applications are now being accepted for its National Hospital Alliance membership grants. The WomenHeart National Hospital Alliance is a partnership program between WomenHeart and progressive hospitals committed to advancing women's heart health and gender specific cardiovascular care, and improving outcomes for women living with heart disease.

"There are 42 million women at risk for heart disease in the U.S. and a staggering 8 million of them live with some form of heart disease. We are working with hospitals nationwide to provide women heart patients with the peer-led support and vital information they need," said Mary McGowan, Chief Executive Officer of WomenHeart. "We look forward to the opportunity to work with new hospitals through the National Hospital Alliance membership grant to reach even more women in underserved communities where there is an immediate need for support services and patient education," she added.

Through this grant program supported by the Edwards Lifesciences Foundation's Every Heartbeat Matters initiative, WomenHeart will award grants to qualified hospitals that reach underserved women with cardiovascular disease. Special consideration will be given to hospitals serving Hispanic-American, African-American and Native American women since these populations of women bear a disproportionate burden of cardiovascular disease. Applications will be accepted through April 30, and awardees will be announced by May 30.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women, and more women than men have died from heart disease since 1984. National Hospital Alliance member hospitals receive training and technical assistance from WomenHeart to establish and maintain a post-discharge, peer-led WomenHeart Support Network for women heart patients – a proven model to improve patient outcomes. In addition, members have access to WomenHeart's educational materials which are reviewed and approved by its nationally renowned Scientific Advisory Council, participation in special educational programs, media opportunities and professional education for their hospital staff. Learn more about WomenHeart National Hospital Alliance member benefits here.

Women who have heart disease often experience anxiety, isolation and depression as a result of their diagnosis and this often impacts their recovery. When a hospital joins WomenHeart's National Hospital Alliance, it establishes a peer-led WomenHeart Support Network for women heart disease survivors and opens its doors to women heart patients with support and lifesaving information. According to a recent survey, WomenHeart Support Network attendees report:

• An Enhanced quality of life (93%)
• Improved treatment compliance/adherence (85%)
• Improved ability to communicate with health care providers (85%)
• Increased understanding of heart disease (93%)
• Improved ability to communicate and explain their condition to family members, co-workers and friends (86%)

Does your hospital qualify for a National Hospital Alliance sponsored membership grant? Apply today by visiting www.womenheart.org/NHAMemberGrant and downloading and completing the application! Applications will be accepted through April 30, and awardees will be announced by May 30.

WomenHeart National Hospital Alliance
The WomenHeart National Hospital Alliance was founded in 2012. It is currently comprised of 22 member hospitals. It is a unique partnership between WomenHeart and member hospitals throughout the country who are dedicated to advancing women's heart health in their community. The National Hospital Alliance was developed by WomenHeart to ensure that women heart disease patients in every community have access to information, education and patient support services.

WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease
WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease is the nation's only patient- centered organization serving the 43 million American women living with or at risk for heart disease – the leading cause of death for women. WomenHeart is solely devoted to advancing women's heart health through advocacy, community education, and the nation's only patient support network for women living with heart disease. WomenHeart is both a coalition and a community of thousands of members nationwide, including women heart patients and their families, healthcare professionals, and health advocates, all committed to helping women live longer, healthier lives. To join or donate, visit www.womenheart.org.

SOURCE WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease

Related Links

http://www.womenheart.org