Motivation
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) account for one-third of all deaths, making it the leading cause of deaths worldwide (Roth et al., 2015). In the Philippines, 30% of deaths are attributed to cardiovascular conditions (WHO, 2012), and this rate is close to the global average. The high rate of CVD mortality in the country is partly the consequence of high prevalence of associated risk factors—raised blood pressure (22% prevalence), smoking (25%), physical inactivity (46%), overweight/obesity (31%) and borderline cholesterol (47%). These rates are not higher than those of high-income countries in the region that have lower CVD-related mortality (WHO, 2012). These suggest deficiencies in the prevention and control of CVDs in the country.
Objectives
The main objective of the study is to generate evidence that will help improve prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Specifically:
- To understand how beliefs about CVD risks affect health lifestyles and demand for preventive care.
- To assess the effectiveness of government programs in delivering primary prevention of CVDs.
References
- Food and Nutrition Research Institute-Department of Science and Technology (FNRI-DOST) (2015). Philippine Nutrition Facts and Figures 2013: Clinical and Health Survey. FNRI Bldg., DOST Compound, Bicutan, Taguig City, Metro Manila, Philippines.
- Roth et al. (2015). Global Burden of Cardiovascular Disease: Global and Regional Patterns in Cardiovascular Mortality from 1990 to 2013, Circulation 132: 1667-1678.
- World Health Organization (2012). Noncommunicable diseases in the Western Pacific Region: a profile. Manila: WHO