The Framingham Heart Study: impact on the prevention and control of cardiovascular diseases in India.
India is in the middle of the epidemiological transition, with the burden of disease shifting towards chronic conditions, of which cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) form a major part. Findings from the Framingham Heart Study (FHS) have tremendous potential to circumvent the projected increase in CVD burden in India, as they highlight the importance of measuring risk in individuals and populations, and preventing future onset of disease. The findings of the FHS have stimulated several cross-sectional studies in India documenting a high and increasing burden of CVD risk factors. These have led to policy level changes in the country, in the form of Framework Convention on Tobacco Control ratification, and the National Program on Diabetes, CVD, and Stroke. There is now need for an Indian cohort study on the lines of the FHS, which can more closely evaluate the use of the FHS risk score among Indians and translate FHS findings into the Indian context.
Reddy
Kolli Srinath
KS
Public Health Foundation of India, August Kranti Marg, New Delhi 110016, India. ksrinath.reddy@phfi.org
Satija
Ambika
A
D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D014943:Global Health; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000266:history / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D007391:International Cooperation; D009313:National Health Programs; D009316:National Institutes of Health (U.S.); D011159:Population Surveillance; D011634:Public Health; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology