The American Heart Association's mission is to reduce disability and death from cardiovascular disease and stroke. The association was founded in 1924 and today is the nation's largest national voluntary health agency devoted to defeating heart disease and stroke, which together claim about 950,000 lives each year and rank as our nation's No. 1 and No. 3 killers. To prevent, treat and ultimately defeat these diseases, the association funds research, creates and implements professional and public education programs focusing on improving emergency care and reducing risk factors, holds community service activities and engages in advocacy efforts to safeguard American's health.