The Asia-Pacific Cardiovascular Disease Alliance co-hosted the inaugural Asia-Pacific Heart Summit and Patient Roundtable Meeting in Bangkok, Thailand, from 18th to 20th October 2024. The Summit, organized in partnership with the Ministry of Public Health of Thailand, the National Health Security Office, and the Patient Roundtable, co-hosted with Global Heart Hub, brought together governments, patient advocates, healthcare leaders, and policymakers to address the escalating burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the region. ACCESS Health International is the secretariat of the APAC CVD Alliance.
Key Takeaways from the Summit:
- Collaboration is Crucial: Effective CVD management requires multi-sector collaboration between governments, healthcare providers, and the private sector. Cross-sector partnerships are essential for driving sustainable change.
- Patient-Centered Care: The importance of involving patients in their care was emphasized, underscoring the principle, “No decisions about us, without us.” Empowering patients to take an active role in managing their health is a necessary step toward more inclusive healthcare systems.
- Focus on Prevention: Early intervention through screening programs and community awareness campaigns is vital. Prevention, particularly at the community level, along with addressing modifiable risk factors like high blood pressure, cholesterol, obesity, smoking, diabetes, and inactivity through lifestyle changes is critical to reduce the burden of CVD across the region.
- Integration of Care: A seamless healthcare system, especially in rural areas, is necessary for effective CVD management. Digital health and primary care integration play key roles in delivering person-centered care.
- Addressing Heart Failure: With heart failure rates on the rise, early detection and intervention strategies are critical. A focus on reducing hospital readmissions and cutting healthcare costs was highlighted.
- Tackling Gender Inequities: Gender disparities in CVD, particularly the higher prevalence of heart failure among women, were discussed. There is a clear need for gender-sensitive approaches and more inclusive clinical trials.
- The Future of CVD Care is Innovation: Emerging technologies such as AI and wearable devices offer significant potential in the fight against CVD. However, ensuring equitable access to these innovations is essential.
The message from the Asia-Pacific Heart Summit is clear: Collaborative action is needed now to combat the growing impact of cardiovascular disease in the Asia-Pacific region. Together, we can build a heart-healthier future.