Cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke, is the leading cause of death in Mississippi,
accounting for over a third of all deaths in the state. Mississippi's CVD mortality rate remains the highest in the nation.
Our mission is to implement heart disease and stroke prevention interventions to reduce morbidity, mortality, and related health disparities. The Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention staff addresses this mission by working with partners to educate, implement policy, and make system changes to increase heart disease and stroke prevention with emphasis on our six program priority areas.
Activities
- Develop and coordinate partnerships
- Develop scientific capacity to define the cardiovascular disease problems
- Develop an inventory of policy and environmental strategies
- Develop or update State Plan
- Provide training and technical assistance
- Develop population-based strategies
- Develop culturally-competent strategies for priority populations
Priorities
Control high blood pressure (hypertension) and high cholesterol
- Education on signs and symptoms and the importance of calling 9-1-1
- Improve emergency response
- Improve quality of care
- Eliminate health disparities
- Focusing on the health care and worksite settings
The
Lieutenant Governors' Challenge is a 12-week program that rewards participants who work toward heart health through fitness choices, health choices, or both.
Topics to explore
Documents and resources

Hear CDC audio podcasts related to heart health:
- Reports
Cardiovascular health status of Mississippi, and state prevention plans
- Resources and links
On-line resources related to heart disease and stroke
- Calendar of events
Events in Mississippi related to heart disease and stroke
Contact us at:
MSDH Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program
570 East Woodrow Wilson Drive
Jackson, MS 39216
601-576-7781