Canada's contribution to global research in cardiovascular diseases

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Disease Research
• Health Sciences
• Bibliometrics

Background:

• Cardiovascular disease (CVD) burden is increasing globally due to aging populations and rising obesity.
• Understanding Canada's contribution to CVD research is crucial for evaluating investment effectiveness and response to disease burden.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess Canada's contribution to global cardiovascular disease research output and patent activity from 1981 to 2010.
• To compare Canada's CVD research output with its overall research contribution and with other developed nations.

Main Methods:

• Bibliometric analysis of publications in major CVD areas and interventions using Web-of-Science (1981-2010).
• Patent analysis using Canadian and US online databases (1981-2010).
• Estimation of Canada's proportion of global CVD research publications and patents.

Main Results:

• Canada contributed 6% of global CVD research publications between 1981 and 2010, showing a significant upward trend.
• Canada's patent contribution in CVD was comparable, ranging from 5% to 7%.
• Canada's CVD research output (6%) exceeded its average research contribution across all fields (3%) and is comparable to countries like France, the UK, Japan, and Germany.

Conclusions:

• Canada's contribution to global CVD research is substantial and growing, indicating a positive response to the increasing disease burden.
• The findings suggest effective investment in Canadian CVD research, particularly given the rising prevalence of chronic diseases.
• Increased Canadian research in CVD is encouraging amidst an aging population and escalating chronic disease rates.