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Introduction
American Heart Association is a voluntary health agency dealing with the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and stroke (American Heart Association, 2009). The agency is committed to ensuring healthy living through reducing coronary-related deaths as well as reducing underlying factors that contribute to coronary heart diseases such as smoking, blood cholesterol, and lack of physical fitness. The association was founded in New York by six cardiologists in 1924 to eliminate ignorance in heart-related diseases through collaboration with physicians and researchers (American Heart Association, 2009). It was later reorganized to take care of public interests through expansion and accommodation of voluntary membership of skilled professionals from different fields including business management and community organization as well as skilled fundraisers.
Over the years, the agency has grown and transformed itself to be an international outfit comprising of medical and non-medical voluntary divisions that have been vibrant in championing public health initiatives. In collaboration with the federal government, the agency has been aggressive in health research and community programs that have been influential in promoting public health including emergency cardiac care and stroke.
Currently, the association is made up of voluntary divisions whose driving force is “providing credible heart disease and stroke information for effective prevention and treatment” (AHA, 2009). This driving force has been tailored around cardiovascular education, science, and community programs, including the incorporation of women and minority groups to enlighten the public about heart diseases and stroke.
Organization’s diversity
The American Heart Association is committed to diverse health programs, with the view that heart diseases and stroke are not limited to any single group of people and considering that the association operates in an environment of a diverse population. Moreover, the agency has incorporated diversity in its staffing as well as in its voluntary programs as well as contractual partners.
American Heart Association operates in a dynamic environment where it is responsible for not only all cardiac-related diseases and stroke complications, but also for promoting general public health programs. The agency takes responsibility for funding research and education programs for the benefit of all the members of the community at the national and international levels. The association conducts its operations with an ethical mind that endeavors to support a culture of openness, integrity, and equal opportunity of participation for every employee or volunteer in the association (AHA, 2009). In addition, the association publishes various journals that provide educative information on general health issues and the way forward to living a healthy life. This is enhanced by the elaborate and dedicated research programs that the association has established over the years. The association is committed to uplifting the lifestyle of the public by focusing on creating awareness and providing resources for addressing the causes of heart diseases as well as childhood obesity and stroke. Indeed, the association enhances the commitment of individuals to assist in-home care and managed care initiatives as well as influencing the public about the importance of physical activity in checking cardiac complications.
Agency theory holds that an organization, whether profit-making or non-profit making acts as an agent of a principal who has a vested interest in the organization, to create value for the said principle’s interest. For instance, shareholders in an organization are the principals whose interest in the organization is to derive value for their investment in form of dividends while employees in the organization will demand good compensation from the same agent.
The AHA is the body that fosters to address and create value to the various stakeholders who have an interest in the association. These stakeholders include patients, member groups, the general public, medical suppliers, employees and volunteers, and government among others. All these stakeholders have vested interest in the agency and it is through the functions of the agency that their value can be derived.
Healthcare giver and the patient relationships
The agency-principal relationship between the healthcare giver and the patient is a sensitive one since the concept of consumer sovereignty may not apply. In this case, although there is asymmetry of the information between the doctor/healthcare giver and the patient where care provider knows more than the patient, the preferences of treatment for principal and agent are interdependent; that is, both expect positive health results (Duncan, Swayne, and Ginter, 1998, p. 213). AHA is an agency whose mandate as indicated in its mission statement is to “build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke” (AHA, 2009). The agency has committed itself to create value for heart disease and stroke patients by ensuring that relevant institutions are in place to not only treat the illnesses but also to create awareness and provide preventive measures on these diseases. In addition, the agency has initiated research and education programs that focus attention on enlightening the general public about the importance of healthy living. Since the agent (AHA) has a vast knowledge of healthcare and the healthcare market, the principal (patient/public) always expects to benefit from the actions of the principal.
The AHA is committed to ensuring that the interests of its staff and volunteers are taken care of through providing a conducive working environment as well as providing an opportunity for career development. Indeed, the AHA is dedicated and passionate about its employees and has reciprocated the employees’ efforts by providing a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that includes various health insurance covers and an opportunity for personal and professional development (AHA, 2009).
AHA maintains a cordial relationship with its suppliers through its well-structured procurement department that is committed to sourcing quality products and services that satisfy customers’ needs and organizational requirements. The suppliers’ interest in the association is to have an equal opportunity and conducive environment for carrying out business. The AHA has responded by appreciating diversity among the suppliers and providing a competitive environment for all existing and potential suppliers including minority and women-owned businesses in supplying quality and timely products at competitive prices. The motive is to ensure all suppliers derive value and benefit from their association with AHA.
Conclusion
Cardiac-related illnesses have been prevalent in the community and have claimed many lives over the years. The toll on these fatalities has been due to ignorance of the underlying causes, making prevention even difficult. Therefore, AHA has come up to arrest the situation by initiating research and education programs and other initiatives that are aimed at maintaining and promoting public health. The AHA has partnered with the federal government and other health care agencies to ensure that affordable and effective health care especially on heart diseases and stroke is provided to the general public. In addition, the AHA has established sound infrastructures to ensure that all the interests of the various stakeholders are taken care of.
References
American Heart Association. (2009). American Heart Association: Learn and Live. Web.
Duncan, et al. (1998). Handbook of Health Care Management. NJ, Wiley-Blackwell.
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