Activity

Activity Description

The Institute of Medicine will convene an ad hoc committee to study the evolving global epidemic of cardiovascular disease and offer conclusions and recommendations pertinent to its control and to a range of public and private sector entities involved with global health and development. The proposed study should take advantage of the concept frameworks of the 1998 IOM report, the 2004 Earth Institute Report, the 2007 "Grand Challenges" report, and a series of global cardiovascular health declarations (Victoria 1992, Catalonia 1995, Singapore 1998, Victoria 2000, Osaka 2001, and Milan 2004). It should synthesize and expand relevant evidence and knowledge based on findings from research and development, with an emphasis to developing pertinent concepts of global partnership, collaborations, and recommending actions targeted at global governmental organizations, NGOs, policy and decision makers, funding agencies, academic and research institutions, and the general public. The study should draw upon the rich experience and best practices learned from global collaborations and infrastructure efforts to combat infectious diseases. An emphasis should be placed on multidirectional learning - best practices in one region of the world which can inform multiple other regions; importantly, lessons learned from global practices that can inform the delivery and practice of medicine in the United States. It is expected that the report of this definitive, didactic, and scientific study will present, to the extent that evidence permits, sound arguments and reasoning for increasing investment in global cardiovascular health promotion and CVD prevention and control. The report should serve to help initiate global dialogue, align global forces, draw public attention, and lead to concerted global and international actions. The specific aims of the study are to:

1) Define the magnitude of global CVD epidemic by examining, analyzing, and determining the burden of, and trends in cardiovascular disease worldwide;

2) Identify current status, capacities, and best practices in CVD prevention and management in developed and developing countries, and determine how these best practices may be applied to other regions with an emphasis on multidirectional learning;

3) Identify elements of success in global public health collaborations and infrastructure development learned from addressing infectious diseases that can be extended to the chronic, non-communicable diseases;

4) Examine specific gaps and barriers in implementing effective CVD prevention programs;

5) Review existing frameworks and develop a global platform of actions and priorities (including R&D, prevention programs, training) that may provide health systems (global/regional/country/local level) and settings (community, school, workplace, and health care), policymakers, and individuals, with a specific set of goals and objectives, and performance measures (metrics);

6) Identify current and potential future opportunities for collaborations and partnership that will better enable individuals, organizations, or countries to enhance their capacities to address cardiovascular health. Develop strategies to enhance global, regional, and international partnerships;

7) Identify and recommend the knowledge and tools that will be needed by individuals, organizations, and countries to anticipate, prevent, recognize, mitigate, and respond to the cardiovascular disease epidemic; and

8) Develop an evaluation plan for monitoring the progress of global actions.

The project is sponsored by The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. The approximate start date for the project is 07/01/08. A report will be issued at the end of the project in approximately 15 months.