Scaling-up Packages of Interventions for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in Selected Sites in Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa: An Implementation Research

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the world. 17.5 million people died in 2012 due to a cerebrovascular disease (31% of all causes of death). In Europe more than 50% of deaths are due to cardiovascular disease. The mortality rate for cardiovascular disease is higher in the lower socio-economic levels. Three-quarters of deaths from cardiovascular disease occur in developing countries. According to estimates in 2030, cardiovascular disease will be responsible for more deaths than the sum of infectious, nutritional, maternal and perinatal diseases in developing countries.

Measures to prevent cardiovascular risk factors have been shown to be effective.

The lack of an adequate primary care network in developing countries limits the screening and treatment of patients with cardiovascular risk factors. As a result, these patients do not benefit from adequate prevention, are diagnosed late and remain disabled or die at a young age, resulting in significant additional costs for families but also at the macroeconomic level.

Interventions are possible on a large scale (policies against tobacco and adverse dietary behavior, promote physical activity, etc.). Actions are possible on an individual level, both in primary prevention (control of cardiovascular risk factors) and secondary prevention, where many treatments have proved their effectiveness. These interventions are effective and cost-effective from a macroeconomic perspective. It was estimated that the cost of such interventions would not exceed 4% of health expenditure in developing countries and 1-2% in rich countries.

The World Health Organization insists on the importance of the triad composed by the patient and his family, community and health professionals. Results are possible only when these three components work together for the same purpose. Numerous studies show the benefit of the involvement of patients in their care in the rich countries and in the developing countries.