Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) accounts for 40% of all deaths globally, and remains the leading cause of mortality among middle-aged adults. A report in the Lancet described how CVD is being taken over by cancer as the leading cause of death in middle-aged adults, but only in those living in high-income countries. Authors suggested that compared with high-income countries (per capita gross national income of US$12,376 or more), there is poorer quality of healthcare in middle (per capita gross national income of US$1,026–$12,375) and low-income (per capita gross national income of US$1,025 or less) countries. This means these patients would be less likely to use CV medication, and be hospitalised more frequently with cardiovascular issues.
In these cases, it seems pertinent to consider the CV risk factors implicated in these countries. Middle and low-income countries are more likely to encounter poor diet, and inadequate education on healthy living, as examples. This serves to highlight the importance of medical education in all communities.
Many of us have undoubtedly worked on programs and materials, in terms of behaviour change as well as CV medication, to mitigate the risks of CV disease in developed countries. It would be useful and rewarding if we could work with our clients to repurpose these materials for people in low and middle-income countries, and use the pharma company communication channels in these countries as a means of distribution.
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