During a recent government meeting, officials celebrated a significant milestone: the 100th anniversary of a community health initiative dedicated to promoting heart health and wellness. The celebration, which has been ongoing throughout the year, highlighted the program's achievements and its commitment to continuing its mission for another century.

Since its inception, the initiative has made substantial strides in reducing mortality rates associated with stroke and heart disease, achieving a 37% decrease since 1999. This progress has been supported by over $5 billion in funding for research and education, facilitated by local districts that play a crucial role in community engagement.

The program has established partnerships with more than 16,000 schools nationwide, involving approximately 25,000 teachers and reaching over 10 million families. Notably, it has impacted 14 million students across the country, emphasizing the ongoing need for education on cardiac health. Alarmingly, statistics reveal that one in five children may experience cardiac arrest, underscoring the importance of equipping young individuals with life-saving skills.

A key focus of the initiative is teaching CPR, even to children as young as five years old. The program shared a compelling success story from last year, where a child learned CPR and subsequently helped save a life, illustrating the profound impact of this education on community safety.

Locally, in Missouri alone, the initiative has engaged over 150,000 students, with nearly 45,100 families learning hands-only CPR. As the meeting concluded, officials expressed their commitment to continuing these efforts, ensuring that communities remain informed and prepared to respond to cardiac emergencies.