The China California Heart Watch was founded by American cardiologist Robert Detrano, who went to China to work in 2002 and became aware of the rapidly rising rates of heart disease in the country. In 2006 Dr. Detrano teamed up with Shanshan Chen, who later succeeded him as CEO, and started CCHW in Yunnan Province. The CCHW brings together experts from the United States, China and around the world to use innovative and sustainable methods to combat the growing epidemic of heart disease in Yunnan. The overarching mission of CCCWH is to serve the people of Yunnan through:
Training local healthcare professionals in the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of heart disease
Improving access to high-quality healthcare and life-saving treatments
Researching the epidemiology of heart disease, the effectiveness of their interventions, and other topics of critical value to rural Chinese populations.
