One in three health professionals push for more equitable access to care across Canada
In a national survey, 46 percent of health professionals named better access to healthcare services as the leading priority for further improving heart and brain health in Canada.
A new Heart & Stroke survey found that another 35 percent identified more equitable access regardless of geography, age, income, sex/gender, or ethnicity/race.
More than six million people in Canada are living with heart disease and stroke, and the conditions cause one in five deaths.
The death rate from heart disease and stroke has fallen by more than 80 percent over the past 75 years.
Earlier identification and treatment of medical risk factors such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol was named by 32 percent of respondents among the top priorities for further gains.
Government policies, laws and regulations supporting healthy lifestyle choices, including healthy eating, physical activity and being smoke-free, were cited by 31 percent, and 29 percent pointed to increasing focus on ensuring children and youth have the healthiest start possible.
In the release, Doug Roth, CEO of Heart & Stroke, said the progress to date is “substantial, but the work is far from finished.”
Roth said continued investment in health equity and access to healthcare “will be critical” with millions of people in Canada living with heart disease or stroke, according to the release.
Sixty-four percent of health professionals cited earlier identification and treatment of medical risk factors among the top factors behind the fall in the death rate, and an equal 64 percent cited better treatments, including surgical procedures and medications.
Increased public awareness around recognizing medical emergencies such as heart attack, stroke and cardiac arrest, and knowing what action to take, was named by 49 percent.
Asked to predict the biggest research breakthroughs in heart and brain health over the next 10 to 20 years, 43 percent of respondents identified new or improved diagnosis and treatment, and 20 percent pointed to prevention and risk factors.
Twelve percent named precision and personalized medicine, genetics, and disease biology and mechanisms, and a further 12 percent named technology, data, AI and digital health as enablers, citing examples including AI for prediction and early detection in high-risk patients and AI-guided rehabilitation.
Assuming research funding is ongoing and stable, 76 percent identified more focus on translating research into real-world, measurable improvements in prevention, care and recovery, such as health systems change and public awareness, as one of their top three factors.
Clearly communicating research results and impact to broader audiences was a top three factor for 43 percent, and 34 percent named a robust research talent pipeline covering training, early-career support, retention across career stages, and growing the number and diversity of researchers.
Ninety-nine percent of respondents said more research on heart disease and stroke, including prevention, causes, diagnosis, treatment and care, was important.
