Cardiovascular disease referred to diseases of the heart, have had a great impact on the society. Cardiovascular disease remains the leading killer in the world. In the United States, it is estimated that the disease accounts for about 600,000 (Vaughan et al., 2015). This statistics are shocking and creates a need to be addressed by all in the health sector. A determination of the causes of cardiovascular disease and preventive measures that can be put in place need to be done as a matter of urgency.
Researchers in this field also need to investigate the prevalence of the disease by race and sex. This will be useful for determining the extent to which the disease is genetically related. It is also important to find out the degree to which lifestyle contributes to the disease. These efforts would help reduce the mortality rate resulting from the disease a great deal. It should be realized that if interventions measures are not put in place, more and more people are going to die from the disease.
Already, there is work being done in this field. Studies show that there has been a decline in heart disease mortality in the past few decades (Vaughan et al., 2015). Preventive and treatment measures have been put in place to reduce deaths resulting from cardiovascular disease. The secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services says, “… we will tackle one of the most formidable public health challenges of this century – reducing the burden of heart disease and stroke.” (American Heart Association). These efforts need to be supported by all in the health sector if the objectives of the area of public health are to be achieved. The battle against cardiovascular disease is not just a battle for the leaders only but also every person concerned with the health of the nation.
What everyone needs to understand is that heart disease is not a disease for a select few; it can affect everyone from old to young. It has no regard for race or sex or once status (American Heart Association). In this regard, the involvement of everyone (Goetzel, 2008), especially those in the health sector is, therefore, pertinent especially now that the population is aging hence increasing the rate of preventable conditions (American Health Association).
The fact that this disease is preventable creates hope for the public health sector. Measures can be put, and they are being brought in place to reduce the risk of heart disease among the American population. The secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services says that “This nation has tools to reduce substantially the devastating impact that heart disease and stroke have on individuals.” (American Heart Association).
Resource allocation will remain an important factor in determining the success of strategies and measures put to an end, or rather reduce, the effects of cardiovascular disease. Public education will play a crucial role in achieving the objectives of the policies geared towards dealing with this problem. Resources have to be directed towards public education. Besides public education, there are policy and environmental changes that need to be put in place to prevent the risk factors as well as ensuring quality care for victims of heart disease (American Heart Association). Research also needs to be part and parcel of the battle to reduce risks related to cardiovascular disease. Those involved in research should be funded so that they can effectively carry out their research.
According to the action plan to prevent heart disease and stroke, two fundamental requirements must be met regarding prevention of heart disease. The first one is that the public and policymakers need to be enlightened on the “urgent need and unprecedented opportunity to prevent heart disease and stroke.” The second one is that the infrastructure of the nation’s public health has to be transformed so as to provide leadership and to develop and maintain effective partnerships and collaborations to support needed actions (American Heart Association).
If proper interventions are put in place targeting all groups regarding age, sex and race, the battle against cardiovascular disease will be won. These interventions have to emphasize “desirable social and environmental conditions and favorable population-wide and individual behavioral patterns to prevent major risk factors.” (American Heart Association). Access to health services, especially among those with high-risk factors, should also be made easy. This will go a great way in reducing the effects of cardiovascular disease. There is the need, therefore, to come up with working public health policies that will ensure prevention of heart disease in the American population.
To conclude, the battle against cardiovascular disease can be won. It, however, requires the input of all (Goetzel, 2008). The encouragement in this fight is that this disease is preventable. Therefore, if proper intervention measures are put in place, the public health sector will have made a major milestone in ridding the American people and even the entire world of this leading killer. Resources have to be put in place to ensure that this is accomplished. Proper public health policies on heart disease prevention should also be formulated to enable participants to achieve a cardiovascular disease-free population.
