In 2007, the American Health Assistance Foundation (AHAF) partnered with the American Heart Association (AHA) by awarding $896,000 to fund six promising young cardiovascular researchers. This grant money had been part of AHAF’s National Heart Foundation (NHF). As part of the phase out process for the successful NHF program, AHAF furthered its commitment to age-related disease research by contributing its NHF funds to AHA.
AHAF and AHA are also cooperating on a joint public education effort centered on the relationship between cardiovascular disease and glaucoma, macular degeneration and Alzheimer’s disease. In the spring of 2008, the two organizations distributed a “tip card” (including a magnet) with information on heart disease and eye disease. The back of the card features an Amsler grid and a blood pressure tracker which can be placed in a convenient spot in the home. A more comprehensive publication is being developed.