Policymakers' perceptions of cardiovascular health in Europe

Abstract

Background: Prevention of cardiovascular disease at population level has proven to be both possible and successful. The European Heart Health Charter (EHHC) outlines goals for successful cardiovascular (CV) prevention both in individuals and at a national level. The objective of this study was to explore key European health policymakers' perceptions of their country's proximity to the EHHC-targets and their views on obstacles to domestic CV health and on the actions needed to improve it. Design: Questionnaire, descriptive. Method: The questionnaire was distributed to health policy leaders (n=116) within the Ministries of Health, public health institutes, cardiac societies and heart foundations in 32 European countries, assessing previous knowledge, goal fulfilment of the EHHC, perceived obstacles to CV health, actions deemed to be important to improve the CV situation, and measures to promote CV health. Results: The response rate was 68%. The general consensus was that the national CV situations were far from attaining the EHHC targets. How different health policy leaders rated the proximity to specific targets and measures did, however, not necessarily reflect the actual situation. There was a polarisation between the health policy leaders regarding obstacles to CV health and what actions are needed to improve it. There were small differences between the four professional groups and regions of the extent measures were believed to be used. Conclusion: Discrepant views on the CV situation and on the actions needed to improve it, underline the importance of information assessing the national situation and the necessity of a dialogue between organisations and policymakers responsible for CV disease throughout Europe. © 2011 The European Society of Cardiology.