Indian poverty and cardiovascular disease.
Cardiovascular disease is among the world's leading causes of death, and nearly 80% of deaths occur in developing countries. Cardiovascular disease is becoming a major health problem in India, where life expectancy has increased with decreases in infectious disease and childhood mortality. It is well established that this population experiences coronary artery disease at a younger age than other populations. With infectious diseases still endemic, noncommunicable diseases are a lower priority for the governments of developing countries. There is a clear progression to degenerative and lifestyle-related diseases such as cardiovascular disease as a result of current social and economic change. The lack of a public response to the increasing risk for cardiovascular disease thus far is due mostly to a perception among policy makers and the public that cardiovascular disease is largely a problem of the urban rich. In conclusion, this review addresses the imminent threats and ways to tackle the epidemic in India.
Ramaraj
Radhakrishnan
R
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ, USA. drkutty2@gmail.com <drkutty2@gmail.com>
Alpert
Joseph Stephen
JS
D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003906:Developing Countries; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008019:Life Style; D011203:Poverty; D012307:Risk Factors