IOM: CVD in the developing world

Major report on this ‘critical challenge to achieve global health’

The Institute of Medicine has published a new report, Promoting Cardiovascular Health in the Developing World: A Critical Challenge to Achieve Global Health, highlighting the fact that cardiovascular disease is responsible for 30% of all deaths in developing countries. It calls for businesses (including the food industry, and insurance and pharmaceutical companies), the health sector, aid organisations and governments to partner to combat the epidemic. The report recommends a ‘top-down’ approach that would require commitment from all of these key partners, and sharing of resources and information.

The 12 recommendations in the report address knowledge/evidence, action and collaboration. It acknowledges that one size does not fit all – conditions, infrastructure and resources vary from country to country, so policy-makers (and other partners) in each country will need to determine the best risk-reduction initiatives for their situation.   

The report will be discussed at the forthcoming Oxford Health Alliance Summit, to be held in New Delhi in April (click here >> ).

Source: IOM, 22 March 2010.

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