PASCAR and WHF Cardiovascular Diseases Scorecard project

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Public Health
• Health Policy

Background:

• Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) pose a significant health burden in Africa.
• Effective prevention and management strategies require accurate country-level data.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a comprehensive Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD) Scorecard for 12 African countries.
• To assess the current state of CVD prevention, control, and management across these nations.
• To identify key strengths, weaknesses, threats, and priorities for CVD initiatives.

Main Methods:

• Data collection coordinated by the Pan-African Society of Cardiology (PASCAR) on behalf of the World Heart Federation.
• Collaboration with national heart societies, including the Sudan Heart Society, for data collation and verification.
• Utilized open-source data from reputable international organizations like the World Bank and World Health Organization, alongside government publications.

Main Results:

• The scorecard provides a clear picture of the CVD landscape in each of the 12 participating African countries.
• Identified specific strengths and weaknesses in current CVD prevention and control efforts.
• Highlighted threats to CVD management and outlined priorities for future interventions.

Conclusions:

• The CVD Scorecard serves as a vital tool for evidence-based policymaking and resource allocation in African nations.
• Addressing identified weaknesses and threats is crucial for improving CVD outcomes.
• The findings underscore the need for continued monitoring and strategic planning to combat the growing burden of cardiovascular diseases in Africa.