Our Greatest Challenge? Global Inequalities in CV Care

Our Greatest Challenge? Global Inequalities in Cardiovascular Care
Low and middle income countries suffer more than 80% of the global burden of cardiovascular disease, but more than 80% of global expenditure on cardiovascular health care occurs in high income countries, according to Stephen MacMahon from The George Institute for International Health in Sydney, Australia. In low and middle income countries, more than half of all cardiovascular disease affects people in middle age - during their most economically productive years - and as a result cardiovascular disease is now an important cause of poverty in many regions. Most individuals in those countries who are at high risk of a fatal or disabling cardiovascular event receive no treatment whatsoever. Even aspirin is not routinely provided to patients who have suffered a myocardial infarction. To address these disparities, Dr. MacMahon called for a broad approach to the WHO, the World Bank, governments and pharma to promote an increase in healthcare workers and capacity, preventive programs of guidelines and education, and availability of reasonably priced generic medications.See the live presentation, or review the full transcript, at AHA Sessions Science OnDemand®.