Broken hearted: A spotlight paper on cardiovascular disease (14 February 2024)

Summary

Progress on cardiovascular disease (CVD) was a significant driver of better population health and greater prosperity in the latter half of the 20th century. However, progress has recently stalled, with indications it may be in reverse. This may be due to policy choices made in the last 15 years, particularly since the global financial crisis, above and beyond the more recent impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. This report by Chris Thomas from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) shows, among other findings, that people are more likely to leave work due to a heart condition than any other health issue.

Content

Recommendations

In the interest of health, wellbeing, prosperity and fairness, the report recommends a three pronged approach to tackling CVD:

1. Supercharge prevention
2. Better condition management
3. More science, more innovation