Heart Foundation

The National Heart Foundation of New Zealand is the charity that leads the
fight against cardiovascular disease (heart, stoke and blood vessel disease)
by funding research,advancing cardiac care, and promoting healthy lifestyles.

It is a non-government, evidence-rated organisation, passionate about and
committed to making a positive difference in the fight against cardiovascular disease.

The message based on more than thirty years of research, is simple and effective
-enjoy healthy eating get physically active, and choose to be smoke-free.

As a not-for-profit organisation, the Heart Foundation relies predominantly on the
public's generous gifts, donations and bequests for funding.
Leaving a bequest in a will means the Heart Foundation has the means to continue
its life-saving work throughout New Zealand.

The Heart Foundation's activities are based around nineteen regional offices and
a national office in Auckland.
The Canterbury branch office is one of the largest in the country, and very active
in the local community. As well as delivering education programmes and working with
affiliated cardiac clubs, it also facilitates services for Pacific Island Heartbeat
such as the recently launched Tongan Action Community Programme.

Since the Heart Foundation's establishment in 1968,
heart disease death rates have halved and stroke deaths almost halved.
However, despite these encouraging figures, cardiovascular disease is still
our biggest killer, causing more than 40% of all deaths each year.

In order to improve this situation, there are threecore areas of Heart Foundation activity.

• Research Funding
• The Heart Foundation financially supports research into areas of
  concern to New Zealanders, particularly the prevention of heart disease and
  the improvement of life for those living with it.
• Cardiac Care Support
• The Heart Foundation delivers a range of cardiac care support services
  and information, such as educative pamphlets and booklets that cover many different
  aspects of prevenative  care, cardiac rehabilitation, heart-healh information.

  Another vital aspect of cardiac care support are the Affiliated Cardiac Clubs which
  exist to support people who have suffered from a cardiac event, and
  help them to maintain new lifestyle changes once they return home from hospital.

• Healthy Lifestyle Promotion
• The Heart Foundation also aims to effect positive changes through
  a variety of projects aimed at specific groups:
    
  • the Healthy Heart Award, School Food Programme, and Jump Rope
    for heart health information for school and pre-school children   
  • the "Heart Foundation Tick"  symbol indicates to the public
    products  that meet strict criteria relating to saturated fat,
    salt, sugar, and fibre content.   
  • Pacific Island Heart Beat (PIHB)  delivers a range of information
    and services to Pacific Island communities throughout New Zealand, including Canterbury.

Home	Return to 2006/2007 Additions index