ALAMEDA, Calif. — The American Heart Association presented its Corporate Heart of Gold Award to Steve Burd, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Safeway, at a gala here on Saturday. The award recognizes individuals for their contributions to reduce cardiovascular disease and stroke risks in an effort to build a healthier community. “In addition to being a highly successful CEO, Steve clearly understands and is actively involved in one of our country’s highest priorities — health care reform,’’ said Roman J. Bowser, executive vice president and CEO of the American Heart Association’s Western States Affiliate. Burd was recognized for his efforts to promote market-based reforms and for overhauling his own company’s health-care benefits program. “Fixing the nation’s health care system is the single most crucial domestic policy issue of our time,” Burd said in a statement. “With 70% of health care costs directly associated with behavior, incentives for healthy behavior for both adults and children should be a greater part of employer health plans.”

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