The Arkansas Wellness Coalition (AWC)

The Arkansas Wellness Coalition (AWC) is a nonprofit voluntary organization composed of partners interested in improving health outcomes for Arkansans. Member organizations include the American Heart Association (AHA), managed care organizations, the Arkansas Department of Health Diabetes Prevention and Control and Cardiovascular Disease Programs, the Arkansas Quality Improvement Organization, pharmaceutical companies, Arkansas Medicaid, and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. The Coalition's purpose is to improve the health and well-being of all Arkansans through the implementation of nationally recognized peer-reviewed guidelines for physicians and patient self-management. AWC works to coordinate efforts between health care providers and advocacy organizations to improve quality of care and health outcomes in targeted diseases, enhance consistency and efficiency of care by providing common core principles, and implement recognized standards of care. These efforts provide physicians throughout the state with the AHA guidelines and strategies for providing appropriate high blood pressure and high cholesterol treatment and follow-up care.

The Coalition's purpose is to improve the health and well-being of all Arkansans through the implementation of nationally recognized peer-reviewed guidelines for physicians and patient self-management.

A guidelines-based approach can result in better outcomes for patients by applying recognized prevention and treatment standards, which help ensure improved quality of life and reduced risk for initial and recurrent heart attacks and strokes.