A. AHA Collection of Personal Information

The AHA will collect Personal Information on an individual only if the individual provides the information to the AHA. Notwithstanding, the AHA does collect Demographic Information for fund raising purposes from various sources, such as renting Demographic Information from third parties. Also, the AHA collects Aggregate Information for research purposes.

B. AHA Use of Personal Information

1. When an individual provides Personal Information to the AHA, the AHA may use the Personal Information for its programs, research and fund raising.

2. From time to time, there is a benefit in allowing a third party to use collected Personal Information on individuals. However, unless an individual gives permission, the AHA will not allow any third party to use Personal Information collected by the AHA.

3. The AHA uses and allows third parties to use Aggregate Information for research purposes for the development or implementation of its programs, products and services.

4. The AHA uses Transactional Information for research purposes for the development or implementation of its programs, products and services. The presumption is that since Transactional Information is highly proprietary, it will not be disclosed to third parties.

5. The AHA will disclose all information as required by law.

6. The AHA will suppress the use of an individual's Personal Information if requested by that individual.

C. Specific Requirements

1. Administrative Requirements

(a) All Personal Information collected on individuals will be kept confidential and in a secure environment.

(b) Access to Personal Information will be restricted to only those personnel with a legitimate business purpose.

(c) The AHA owns all Personal Information provided to it by individuals. When an individual provides Medical Information to the AHA, the AHA will ensure that the individual acknowledges their assignment of the right to use the data to the AHA.

2. Scientific Research Requirements

Any research funded by the AHA that involves human subjects (e.g., information collected on individuals) must be endorsed by the sponsoring institution's committee on clinical investigation or other appropriate body, and conform ethically to the guidelines prescribed by the National Institutes of Health, which includes obtaining informed consent from each individual.

3. Third Party Disclosure Requirements

Permission is required before the AHA discloses Personal Information to a third party. No permission is necessary for Aggregate Information, since Aggregate Information does not identify a specific individual.

(a) For disclosure of Demographic Information (e.g., rental or exchange of donor lists with other organizations), the AHA as a minimum will use the "Opt-Out" approach. An "opt-out" is obtained when the AHA, through some correspondence, gives an individual an opportunity to decline or "opt-out" of disclosures to third parties. If the individual does not opt out, permission is deemed granted. Depending upon the nature of an activity or project, a higher standard than "opt-out" may be used, such as "opt-in" whereby an individual must affirmatively give consent before information is disclosed.

(b) For research awardees, permission is deemed granted upon submission of an application for a grant to the AHA. Therefore, the AHA may disclose Personal Information, including funding and project summary information, on research program awardees to third parties. The purposes of such disclosure include publicizing AHA awards, assessing AHA research programs/awardees relative to subsequent success in obtaining funding from other agencies, and determining contribution of awardees to print and online research grants and databases.

(c) For disclosure of Medical Information, Informed Consent is required before the AHA discloses Medical Information to a third party. Informed Consent occurs when an individual has sufficient facts about the disclosure, comprehends those facts, and voluntarily consents to the disclosure. Where a third party such as the employer or healthcare provider of an individual requires the individual to participate in an AHA program which collects Medical Information, the AHA will require the employer or healthcare provider to procure Informed Consent before the AHA will release Medical Information to that employer or healthcare provider.