S-53-1: SOCIOECONOMIC FACTORS AND PREVENTION OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES IN ASIA

Abstract

Focus on social determinants of health is important for primordial and primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). There are multiple social determinants and are macrolevel factors: social and human development, location related factors, and policies that influence rural and urban planning, environmental pollution, healthcare infrastructure, health financing, quality of health systems, taxation on harmful products (tobacco, alcohol, trans fats), and subsidizing healthy foods. Individual level factors are: multiple social factors, education, income, employment, stress, early life events, addictions including tobacco, and availability, affordability and adherence to medicines and healthy lifestyles. Studies have shown that countries with better development have lower CVD incidence and mortality, also in Asia. Healthy lifestyles (healthy diet, physical activity, tobacco control) and awareness, treatment and control of major risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemias) are more in better developed Asian countries due to better health systems and universal health coverage policies. At individual level higher socioeconomic status and better educational level are associated with lower prevalence of CVD risk factors and better treatment and control of hypertension, dyslipidemias and diabetes. Interventions to address social determinants are limited and include focus on political, economic and social interventions. UN Sustainable Development Goals related to poverty eradication, zero hunger, good health and wellbeing, quality education, gender equality, decent work, economic growth, reduced inequalities, sustainable communities, responsible consumption or production, and climate action address social determinants of health. Creation of health infrastructure in rural and deprived locations, macrolevel financing, manpower deployment and workforce training are important evidence-based interventions. Interventions to improve quality of general education and health literacy and education of medical professionals and non-physician health workers have shown to ameliorate CVD related disparities. Public health interventions include life-course approach for prevention and control of risk factors, better and safe facilities for promotion of physical activity, tobacco, smoking and alcohol control policies, taxation on trans fats, sugars, sugar-sweetened beverages and salt, universal health care focussed on early CVD diagnosis and management, availability of medicines and focus on technological innovations to promote adherence to medicines and healthy lifestyles. At the individual level better CVD risk-factor control can be achieved by focus on individual social determinant and improved professional-patient communication via professional medical education, health worker related focus, patient health literacy, and greater patient involvement.