title: Cardiovascular health in Canadian women: the bigger picture revisited.
abstract: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in Canadian women. Recent projections suggest that the number of cardiovascular-related deaths among women will continue to increase for at least another decade (Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada, 2003). Nurses are in pivotal roles to facilitate the development of strategies to promote cardiovascular health and prevent CVD in this population. These strategies must move beyond the current focus on the individual, to encompass the bigger picture of population health promotion. This paper revisits the current state of knowledge of the population-based determinants of cardiovascular health in women, incorporates a Canadian perspective by including relevant epidemiological data, and recommends strategies that extend beyond the individual to the broader community, policy, health services and research domains.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Nursing, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg. joanne_sawatzky@umanitoba.ca
authors.forename: Jo-Ann V
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Sawatzky
mesh_terms: D001294:Attitude to Health; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002423:Cause of Death; D018672:Community Health Planning / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003256:Community Participation; D004522:Educational Status; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006285:Health Planning; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D016294:Models, Nursing; D017146:Models, Organizational; D024802:Nurse's Role; D012307:Risk Factors; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D012944:Social Support; D012945:Social Values; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D016387:Women's Health