TIME TO TALK CARDIO NETWORK

Time to Talk CARDIO Network
Join us on our mission to advance cardiovascular health by helping to improve the dialogue between patients and health care professionals. Membership is free.

As a Network member you may:

  • Broaden your organization's knowledge about health care communication
  • Utilize Time to Talk CARDIO materials with your members and constituents
  • Share your expertise and best practices about health care communication
  • Help to impact cardiovascular disease patient health outcomes

Time to Talk CARDIO is an educational program paid for by Merck and developed in partnership with the American Academy of Family Physicians Foundation, Canyon Ranch Institute and RIASWorks.

Featured Organizations:

  • Canyon Ranch Institute (CRI)

    Canyon Ranch Institute (CRI) catalyzes the possibility of optimal health for all people by translating the best practices of Canyon Ranch and its partners to help educate, inspire, and empower every person to prevent disease and embrace a life of wellness. At CRI, we develop partnerships by collaborating with evidence-based, innovative organizations such as Time to Talk CARDIO. Through our partnerships, we seek to improve health literacy, prevent disease, and eliminate health disparities. CRI recognizes that improving health literacy about prevention and management of heart disease is essential in order to reduce the burden of chronic disease and ultimately improve the health and wellness of all people worldwide.
  • The American Academy of Family Physicians Foundation

    The American Academy of Family Physicians Foundation advances the values of Family Medicine by promoting humanitarian, educational, and scientific initiatives that improve the health of all people. The AAFP Foundation serves as the philanthropic arm of the American Academy of Family Physicians, which is one of the largest national medical organizations, representing more than 94,600 family physicians, family medicine residents, and medical students nationwide. Thanks to funding from physician members and corporate partners, the AAFP Foundation supports good work that makes a difference at home and around the world.
  • RIASWorks

    RIASWorks was established in 2008 to contribute to the science of interpersonal communication in order to enhance health care quality, well being and health. The company supports research and professional education, quality assurance, and excellence in clinical practice through the provision of coding services and training in the use of the Roter Interaction Analysis System (RIAS) and the development and dissemination of evidence-based medical communication tools.

Organizations and Health Care Professionals

  1. The American Academy of Nursing anticipates and tracks national and international trends in heathcare, while addressing resulting issues of healthcare knowledge and policy. The Academy's mission is to serve the public and nursing profession by advancing health policy and practice through the generation, synthesis, and dissemination of nursing knowledge. The Academy is comprised of more than 1,600 Fellows who are nursing's most accomplished leaders in education, management, practice, and research.
    For more information visit: http://www.aannet.org/
  2. Established in 1954, the American College of Preventive Medicine (ACPM) is the national professional society for physicians committed to disease prevention and health promotion. ACPM's 2,200 plus physician members are engaged in preventive medicine practice, teaching and research. Many represent preventive medicine in national forums, contributing to the organization's role as a major national resource of expertise in disease prevention and health promotion.

    Specialists in preventive medicine are uniquely trained in both clinical medicine and public health. They have the skills needed to understand and reduce the risks of disease, disability and death in individuals and in population groups. You can find preventive medicine trained physicians working in primary care settings and managed care organizations, in public health and government agencies, in workplaces and in academia.

    To learn more about ACPM, please visit: www.acpm.org

  3. The Clear Language Group is a national consortium of health literacy, plain language, and cross cultural communication specialists. We help health care organizations, government agencies, non-profit groups, educational institutions, and businesses communicate effectively with the 90 million+ American adults with marginal literacy skills and the general public who also need and want clear communication. Our expertise includes creating innovative websites and print materials; designing and evaluating interventions to reach diverse populations; and delivering high-quality training to health organizations and professionals. CLG members bring over 100 years of collective experience and a cutting edge understanding of the health literacy, plain language and cross cultural communications fields. Our work is grounded in relevant theory, practice and evidence. We work with audiences from many cultures and backgrounds, with widely varying demographic and social profiles. Our goal is to make health information accessible, meaningful, and usable for diverse audiences.

    For more information about the Clear Language Group, please visit: www.clearlanguagegroup.com

  4. The Institute for Healthcare Advancement (IHA) is a 501(c)(3) public charitable organization located in N. Orange County, California. In addition to its provision of local services - including administering the La Habra Family Resource Center, a social services agency, and providing management services for Friends of Family Health Center, a pediatric and adult primary care facility - IHA provides multiple products and services related to health literacy:
    • We produce a national, continuing education health literacy conference each year in May in Southern California
    • We write and publish a series of self-help health books, including the award-winning What To Do When Your Child Gets Sick, all titles written at a third- to fifth-grade reading level
    • We offer a Low Literacy Rewrite/Redesign Service, to help providers and organizations ensure their materials meet criteria for readability and design for maximum comprehension
    • We lecture nationally on various health literacy topics
    • We consult on health literacy projects
  5. Mended Hearts is a community-based, nationwide heart patient support network founded in 1951. More than 18,400 members operate through 300 chapters and satellite organizations across the U.S., with two chapters in Canada. Recognized for its role in facilitating a positive patient-care experience, Mended Hearts partners with 460 hospitals and cardiac rehabilitation clinics offering heart patient support through visiting programs, group meetings and educational forums. The Mended Hearts mission is "dedicated to inspiring hope in heart disease patients and their families." To locate a chapter call 1-888-432-7899 or visit www.mendedhearts.org.

  6. Men's Health Network (MHN) is a national non-profit organization whose mission is to reach men and their families where they live, work, play, and pray with health prevention messages and tools, screening programs, educational materials, advocacy opportunities, and patient navigation.

    With a network of chapters, affiliates, and health partners, MHN has a presence in every state and over 30 countries. The organization works to achieve the following goals:
    • Save men's lives by reducing premature mortality of men.
    • Foster health care education and services that encourage men of all ages to implement positive lifestyles for themselves and their families.
    • Increase the physical and mental health of men so that they can live fuller and happier lives.
    • Work with and through women, as the family's health care leader, and partners to reach men with critical health messages.
  7. The Mississippi Academy of Family Physicians is an organization of family physicians dedicated to continually and cost effectively improving the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual health of the people of Mississippi. The Academy exists to serve the unique needs of its physician members, their patients, and the public at large.
  8. To address the widespread lack of access to basic health care, Community Health Centers serve 20 million people at more than 7,000 sites located throughout all 50 states and U.S. territories. Health centers depend in large part on public financial help and need a unified voice and common source for research, information, training and advocacy. To address these needs, the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) was organized in 1971. NACHC works with a network of state health center and primary care organizations to serve health centers in a variety of ways:
    • Provide research-based advocacy for health centers and their clients.
    • Educate the public about the mission and value of health centers.
    • Train and provide technical assistance to health center staff and boards.
    • Develop alliances with private partners and key stakeholders to foster the delivery of primary health care services to communities in need.
  9. The North Carolina Academy of Family Physicians, Inc. (NCAFP) is a non-profit professional association headquartered in Raleigh representing nearly 2,700 family physicians, family medicine residents and medical students across North Carolina. It is the largest medical specialty association in North Carolina and is a constituent chapter of the 94,000 member-strong American Academy of Family Physicians, based in Leawood, Kansas.
  10. Ohio Academy of Family Physicians (OAFP) is a statewide professional association of approximatley 4200 members, including practicing physicians, residents and medical students. OAFP shapes health care through advocacy, empowers the specialty of family medicine through leadership, and facilitates achievment of professional excellence and satisfaction through education.
  11. Sister to Sister: The Women's Heart Health Foundation is the nation's only organization dedicated to preventing heart disease in women by providing free heart disease screenings and programs that give women the power to learn their risks, take action, and change behavior. Founded in 2000 by women's health advocate, Irene Pollin, Sister to Sister's programs and services include its signature National Women's Heart Health Fairs; the Women's Heart Health Data Registry in partnership with Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School; and, educational events for women in leadership roles to disseminate the message throughout their local communities. For more information, visit www.sistertosister.org.

Time to Talk CARDIO is an educational program paid for by Merck and developed in partnership with the American Academy of Family Physicians Foundation, Canyon Ranch Institute and RIASWorks.

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