Heart health in New Zealand.
Global health is increasingly dominated by chronic diseases--cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes. New Zealand cardiovascular disease death rates have fallen by over 60% since their peak in the late 1960s. Most of the decline can be explained by favourable trends in the main risk factors. Despite these gains, there will be an increasing burden in elderly, Maori, and economically disadvantaged people. There are two major challenges. Firstly, to implement a balanced public health approach to the prevention and control of vascular disease and to ensure a reduction in overall population levels of risk and a reduction in risk levels of high-risk people. Secondly, to promote health equity in New Zealand, initially by encouraging a rapid reduction in tobacco use in Maori and Pacific Island people.
Beaglehole
Robert
R
University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. r.beaglehole@auckland.ac.nz
Bonita
Ruth
R
D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors