The overall mandate to the Heart Study at its inception in 1948 was to determine, using epidemiologic techniques, why humans develop atherosclerotic disease of the heart, brain and other vessels. Framingham pioneered the concept of risk factors for these diseases. This pioneering work prompted campaigns in this country to modify risk factors including: blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, obesity and lack of physical activity. The Heart Study is ongoing and continues research on risk factors for heart attacks and strokes, as well as aging, arthritis, osteoporosis, lung disease, hearing and vision disorders, and dementia. In addition, research on the genetics of these diseases is under way.

The Board of Directors of the Friends are public-spirited citizens, as well as participants in the Heart Study, who oversee the funds and direct them to areas of need. All Friends donate their time, and all monies are used solely to support research acitivities. The Friends have no administrative or operating costs. The current officers of the Friends of the Framingham Heart Study are Karen LaChance, President, Peter Allen, Vice President and Treasurer, James Gordon, Clerk, Jay J. Lander, Nancy Spinale, Deborah Fuller, Noreen Murphy, Donna Tannar, Ellen Walker, Walter Sullivan and John Galvani. Esta H. Shindler is the Administrative Manager of the Friends.