The Justus-Warren Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Task Force and the North Carolina plan to prevent heart disease and stroke.

One in 4 deaths in North Carolina is attributed to heart disease and stroke. The legislatively mandated Justus-Warren Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Task Force provides statewide leadership for the prevention of cardiovascular disease. This commentary reviews the work and accomplishments of the task force and its comprehensive plan to reduce the state's cardiovascular burden.