In March of 1997 the term "community outreach" took on a new meaning for the
Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation. MHIF entered into the world of
cyberspace with the introduction of its web site: www.mplsheartfoundation.org.
The potential for MHIF's educational outreach expanded exponentially.
The Foundation is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of our
communities by sharing information on meaningful advancements in cardiovascular
research and heart disease prevention. Through its web site MHIF can now reach
people all over the world with the message of heart health. Web visitors come
from as far away as The Netherlands, India, Germany, Vietnam, Brazil, South
Africa, and Mexico.
Searching for heart health information on the web can be an overwhelming
quest. Type in "heart disease" on any search engine and you could receive more
than 1.3 million possibilities. Which ones do you trust to have reliable
information? MHIF's web site provides a credible, dynamic and interactive
resource for individuals to increase their awareness of the risk factors for
heart disease and the steps necessary to pursue heart-healthy lifestyles.
The MHIF site receives, on average, 2,200 hits per day. This popularity has
earned the site two awards. The Flash Zone Spotlight Award was given to MHIF's
Kid's Corner in February, 1999. This recognition is awarded to sites that
represent the cutting edge of design, functionality - and fun! The 2000 Site
Award from HealthAtoZ.com was awarded in January, 2000. HealthAtoZ is a
comprehensive, well-integrated health and medical resource developed by
healthcare professionals.
We have recently added several new areas: About Heart Disease, Resources,
Publications, PulseLink and a listing of employment, volunteer and internship
opportunities available at the Foundation. Here's a glimpse of what you can see
at www.mplsheartfoundation.org.
| The President's annual report shares the
mission, vision and current successes of the Foundation. |
| Learn about the different types of
cardiovascular disease, signs and symptoms, diagnostic techniques, prevention
and management, various treatment options and key terms related to heart
disease. |
| Test your knowledge of heart health by
answering True/False questions focusing on the modifiable risk factors for heart
disease. |
| Learn about the modifiable and
non-modifiable risk factors for heart disease and what steps you can take to
reduce your risk of developing heart disease. You will also find information on
women and heart disease, heart attack, and can take the Heart Attack Risk Test
to assess your risk of developing a first heart attack. |
| HeartLine is a free telephone information
service. Recorded messages educate people about the modifiable risk factors
associated with the development of heart disease. In addition, HeartLine offers
risk factor modification and active prevention tips. |
| Recognizing the critical importance of
influencing health beliefs early in the behavior development process, the
Foundation is committed to planting the seeds of prevention by enhancing heart
health knowledge and promoting healthy lifestyles among elementary school age
children. This section was designed for this very purpose. Our goal is to
provide an interactive learning experience, using Macromedia Flash animation,
that will teach children about their heart and what they can do to keep it
healthy. |
| InTouch, MHIF's bi-annual magazine, is
designed to educate the general public with the latest heart health information
and current research initiatives underway at the Foundation. For nearly two
decades the Foundation has provided living proof that research and education
make a difference. |
| MHIF provides continuing medical
education (CME) opportunities to physicians, nurses, technicians and other
allied health professionals on an international level. |
| Visit our calendar of upcoming local
Community Education special events, Medical Education opportunities and
Contributions and Funding events. |
| Access the Foundation's Smoking Cessation
Resource Directory, our elementary school-based Heart Health Lesson Plans,
Heart-Healthy Recipes and links to additional sites identified with accurate and
reliable information about heart health. |
| At MHIF, researchers continue to look at
new ways to treat heart disease and help develop better medical and surgical
interventions to restore patients to health. The Foundation's vital work in the
advent of new scientific data on cardiovascular disease is carried out through a
number of ongoing multicenter randomized studies focused on defining new
treatment modalities for heart disease. |
| The HeartMatters Community Education
programs were established as a means to provide information, support and
encouragement to individuals and families in their pursuit of cardiovascular
health and wellness. HeartMatters includes community and corporate heart-health
screenings, speakers' bureau presentations, health fairs, classes, seminars,
special events and school-site heart health education
activities. |
| The Foundation's accomplishments have
been made possible by generous donors who have provided funding for research and
education to prevent heart disease, treat damaged hearts and restore life. The
Contributions and Funding Division is the conduit for promoting and encouraging
private financial support for the Foundation. |
| Through PulseLink, the Foundation
provides viewers an opportunity to share specific heart health information with
family and friends. |
| Please contact us at educ@mplsheart.org for more information on
heart-health topics. |
Our site is enhanced monthly and continues to grow with
opportunities for individuals to learn more about their heart and how to keep it
healthy. Web site enhancements planned for 2000 include an on-line contribution
form and an interactive on-line cardiovascular health risk assessment.
Individuals may respond to questions on a heart-specific health questionnaire,
submit it for analysis and receive their personal cardiovascular risk
profile.
