Walgreens is teaming up with the American Heart Association to transform community emergency response capabilities through a comprehensive nationwide CPR awareness and training program. The initiative aims to address the critical challenge of low bystander intervention during cardiac emergencies, where currently only a small percentage of individuals feel confident performing life-saving techniques.
With more than 350,000 cardiac arrests occurring outside hospitals annually in the United States and 90% of these incidents proving fatal, the partnership seeks to dramatically improve survival rates. Research indicates that immediate CPR and automated external defibrillator (AED) use can double or even triple a victim's chance of survival.
The multi-year commitment includes a $15 million fundraising campaign and comprehensive community engagement strategy. Walgreens will leverage its extensive network of approximately 8,500 stores and daily interactions with nine million customers to expand CPR education and awareness. The company will mobilize team members, pharmacists, and local communities to increase emergency preparedness.
Recent survey data from the American Heart Association reveals promising progress in public willingness to learn CPR. Following high-profile incidents like NFL player Damar Hamlin's cardiac event in 2023, bystander confidence has increased from 33% to 39%, representing approximately 17.7 million more Americans feeling prepared to act during a medical emergency.
Nancy Brown, American Heart Association's CEO, emphasized the critical nature of the initiative, stating that survival and recovery depend on immediate action. The organization's ambitious goal is to double out-of-hospital cardiac arrest survival rates by 2030, a target that requires significant public engagement and education.
Tim Wentworth, Walgreens Boots Alliance CEO, highlighted the company's commitment to community health, noting their unique position to provide access, knowledge, and resources for potential life-saving interventions.
The partnership represents a significant step toward empowering communities with essential emergency medical skills, potentially saving countless lives through increased awareness, training, and confidence in performing CPR.
