Existing health disparities in congenital heart disease: the path forward to achieving health equity—A scientific statement of the European Association of Preventive Cardiology of the ESC

Abstract

There is increasing recognition that social determinants of health affect outcomes in individuals with congenital heart disease and cause health disparities. This scientific statement from the European Association of Preventive Cardiology of the European Society of Cardiology provides an outline of the existing disparities from a global perspective in this population. We review the current knowledge on racial and ethnic patterns and the role of deprivation status, food insecurity, built environment, financial strain, psychological health and parental distress and education and literacy in creating inequities. Finally, we provide future directions for policy, research, and clinical practice in achieving health equity in the congenital heart disease population.