Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death globally.
An estimated 17.9 million people died from CVDs in 2019, representing 32% of all global deaths- 85% of these deaths were due to heart attack and stroke.
Over 3/4 of CVD deaths take place in low- and middle-income countries.
Rheumatic heart disease is the most acquired heart disease in people under age 25. It most commonly occurs in childhood and can lead to death or life-long disability. Rheumatic heart disease can be prevented by preventing streptococcal infections or treating them with antibiotics when they do occur. Rheumatic heart disease claims over 288 348 lives each year – the large majority in low- or middle-income countries.2https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/rheumatic-heart-disease
On May 25, 2018 member states of the WHO passed a resolution on Rheumatic Fever (RF)/Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) at the World Health Assembly. The resolution marks the first time that RF/RHD has been recognized as a global health priority on the world stage.3https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/39/48/4233/5253954
Rheumatic heart disease YLDs per 100.000
CVD and the SDGs
Target 3.4 By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being
The Sustainable Development Goal 3 highlights the promotion of good health and well-being. Cardiovascular health and NCDs are a primary target (3.4) for this goal. However, there’s a lot of work to be done. The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2020 suggests that the probability of dying from one of the four major NCDs: cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes or chronic respiratory disease between 30 and 70 years of age decreased only 1%, from 2010 to 2016 4https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/report/2020/
Here are some key publications about Global Cardiovascular Health. Please note that these articles may require permission to access.
Key Publications
Roth GA, et al.
Roth GA, Mensah GA, Johnson CO, et al. Global Burden of Cardiovascular Diseases and Risk Factors, 1990-2019: Update From the GBD 2019 Study. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2020;76(25):2982-3021. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2020.11.010
Tromp J, Ouwerkerk W, Teng THK, et al. Global disparities in prescription of guideline-recommended drugs for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. European Heart Journal. 2022;43(23):2224-2234. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehac103
Marcus ME, Manne-Goehler J, Theilmann M, et al. Use of statins for the prevention of cardiovascular disease in 41 low-income and middle-income countries: a cross-sectional study of nationally representative, individual-level data. The Lancet Global Health. 2022;10(3):e369-e379. doi:10.1016/s2214-109x(21)00551-9
Use of statins for the prevention of cardiovascular disease in 41 low-income and middle-income countries: a cross-sectional study of nationally representative, individual-level data.
Watkins DA, Johnson CO, Colquhoun SM, et al. Global, Regional, and National Burden of Rheumatic Heart Disease, 1990–2015. New England Journal of Medicine. 2017;377(8):713-722. doi:10.1056/nejmoa1603693
Beaton A, Kamalembo FB, Dale J, et al. The American Heart Association’s Call to Action for Reducing the Global Burden of Rheumatic Heart Disease: A Policy Statement From the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2020;142(20). doi:10.1161/cir.0000000000000922
The American Heart Association’s Call to Action for Reducing the Global Burden of Rheumatic Heart Disease: A Policy Statement From the American Heart Association.
Shah ASV, Stelzle D, Lee KK, et al. Global Burden of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease in People Living With HIV. Circulation. 2018;138(11):1100-1112. doi:10.1161/circulationaha.117.033369
Global Burden of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease in People Living With HIV.
Feinstein MJ, Hsue PY, Benjamin LA, et al. Characteristics, Prevention, and Management of Cardiovascular Disease in People Living With HIV: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2019;140(2). doi:10.1161/cir.0000000000000695
Characteristics, Prevention, and Management of Cardiovascular Disease in People Living With HIV: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association.
Muddu M, Semitala FC, Kimera I, et al. Improved hypertension control at six months using an adapted WHO HEARTS-based implementation strategy at a large urban HIV clinic in Uganda. BMC Health Services Research. 2022;22(1). doi:10.1186/s12913-022-08045-8
Improved hypertension control at six months using an adapted WHO HEARTS-based implementation strategy at a large urban HIV clinic in Uganda.
Huaman MA, De Cecco CN, Bittencourt MS, et al. Latent Tuberculosis Infection and Subclinical Coronary Atherosclerosis in Peru and Uganda. Clinical Infectious Diseases. 2021;73(9):e3384-e3390. doi:10.1093/cid/ciaa1934
Sors TG, O’Brien RC, Scanlon M, et al. Reciprocal Innovation: A New Approach to Equitable and Mutually Beneficial Global Health Research and Partnership. Global Public Health, 25 July 2022, pp. 1–13, 10.1080/17441692.2022.2102202.
