ACCESS Health International has been appointed as the secretariat for the APAC CVD Alliance. The alliance focuses on non-communicable diseases, especially Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD), as the illness is rapidly becoming a severe problem in Asia due to the region’s fast-paced urbanization. Data from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, shows an alarming increase in non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, over the past decade.
The region’s distinct socio-economic diversity and health disparities further exacerbate the problem. In high-income nations like Korea, Japan, and Singapore, ageing populations grapple with a surge in CVDs. At the same time, in emerging economies, such as Thailand and Indonesia, a dual burden exists with infectious diseases and a dramatic rise in CVD.
Recognizing the dire need to combat this rising trend, the APAC CVD Alliance was established as a cooperation between different stakeholders, including patient advocacy groups, academia, and industry, which is critical as one entity cannot solve these challenges.
The alliance aims to serve as a platform for illuminating the gaps in various health systems and advocating for comprehensive policy changes and healthcare reforms. The alliance is not just a platform but a catalyst, mobilizing regional resources to provide localized solutions that support policymaking.
The alliance notes that the discussion on managing CVD couldn’t be focused on treatment alone as only focusing on treatment will help patients with heart diseases. The alliance wants to also address the whole care continuum from prevention, early detection treatment, rehabilitation, and step-down care.