The American Heart Association Ethics Policy reflects the high standard of business conduct representing what is the hallmark of our organization. Our Ethics Policy helps define our commitment to support a culture of openness, trust and integrity in all we do.

We are committed to conducting all of the American Heart Association's affairs and activities with the highest standards of ethical conduct. All of us have an obligation to adhere to this policy and encourage others to do the same.

As volunteers and staff, we are passionate about working with all of our customers. We must dedicate ourselves to pursuing our mission with honesty, fairness and respect for the individual, ever mindful that there is no "right way" to do the "wrong thing."

The Ethics Policy helps clarify our standard of conduct. It makes clear that the American Heart Association expects volunteers and employees to understand the ethical considerations associated with their actions. Our Ethics Policy affirms our long standing commitment to not merely obey the law, but also to conduct our business with integrity and without deception.

The American Heart Association’s reputation for integrity and honesty is more important today than ever before. As we think of "what we do" at the American Heart Association and "how we do it," always remember our responsibility to ask ourselves: "Am I doing the ‘right thing’ for the ‘right reason‘?"

Code of Ethics

The summary code of ethics includes the following provisions:

• American Heart Association employees and volunteers must:
  • Proactively promote ethical behavior as a responsible partner among peers in the work environment.
  • Deal fairly with AHA Customers, suppliers, competitors, volunteers, and employees.
  • Provide constituents with information that is accurate, completely objective, relevant, timely, and understandable.
  • Comply with applicable government laws, rules and regulations.
  • Maintain the confidentiality of information entrusted to them by the AHA or its Customers except when authorized or otherwise legally obligated to disclose.
  • Accept responsibility for preventing, detecting, and reporting all manner of fraud.
  • Be honest and ethical in their conduct, including ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships.
  • Protect and ensure the proper use of company assets.
  • Prohibit improper or fraudulent influence over the External Auditor.

Read the entire American Heart Association Ethics Policy  

Reporting Ethics Violations

If you have questions or concerns about compliance with the subjects described in this policy, or are unsure about what is the “right thing” to do, we strongly encourage you to first talk with your supervisor, another AHA leader or the leader in the Human Resource department.  If you are uncomfortable talking to any of these individuals for any reason, call the AHA ethics hotline at (866) 293-2427 to report your concerns.  You may also log on to:   www.ethicspoint.com.  Your calls to the toll free hotline or contact through the Internet site are facilitated by a third party, Ethics Point, Inc.  Reporting of ethics violations will be treated as confidential information and can be communicated anonymously.