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​Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion 
Fresh Start: Free Programs for Better Health


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Alaska Tobacco Quit Line 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669)

Program Contacts

Health Disease and Stroke Prevention
3601 Street, Suite 722,
Anchorage, AK 99503
P.O. Box 240249
Anchorage, AK 99524-0249
heart@alaska.gov

Program Manager
Ashley Minaei, MPH, CPH
Public Health Specialist II
Ashley.Minaei@alaska.gov
907-269-8035


Webpage updated March 2024


Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program - web banner showing Alaskans engaging in healthy behaviors.

Alaska Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention

Highlights:

Heart disease and stroke cause about one-third of all deaths in Alaska. Heart disease is often called the “silent killer” because many people can miss the warning signs or symptoms, so do not know they have it.

The impact of heart disease and stroke is costly. In fiscal year 2016, Alaska Medicaid recipients with heart disease alone or in combination with other chronic diseases (9,527 people) needed more than $300 million in health care paid by Medicaid, with an average per-person cost of more than $34,000.

Our program and partners focus on the following strategies:

  • Educating and empowering individuals to choose healthy foods and drinks, get daily exercise, and not use tobacco.
  • Connecting Alaska adults to free online programs to prevent and manage high blood pressure and other chronic diseases through Alaska’s Fresh Start campaign.
  • Supporting health care providers to improve screening and management of high blood pressure and ensure optimal treatment of heart disease and stroke.
  • Supporting statewide and community partners to promote healthy environments that provide access to physical activity, nutritious foods, and smokefree air.
  • Monitoring the trends for heart disease and stroke in Alaska.

Individuals, communities, and health care providers can help prevent heart disease and stroke by doing the following:


Individuals
  • Ask your health care provider which screenings are right for you, including screenings for high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
  • Make healthy choices. Eat fruits and vegetables, be physically active, and never use tobacco.
  • Get support to lose weight, lower high blood pressure, and prevent and manage other chronic diseases using free online programs available through Alaska’s Fresh Start campaign.
  • Contact Alaska’s Tobacco Quit Line for help quitting tobacco use.
Communities
  • Promote healthy policies, tobacco-free businesses/organizations, and access to healthy foods and physical activity.
  • Offer screenings outside clinics, such as in pharmacies, workplaces or fire stations.
  • Support walking groups, other physical activities, farmers markets, and community gardens.
Health Care Providers, Hospitals and Clinics