Addressing heart disease inequities in the community
Not everyone faces the same chances and outcomes when it comes to heart disease – some groups are affected more than others.
Heart disease disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, including:
- Indigenous peoples, who face a higher risk of cardiovascular disease
- Individuals with mental illness, whose health conditions compound their risk
- People living in poverty, who often lack access to adequate care
At the Victorian Heart Institute, we believe that by creating solutions for the most under-served communities, we can develop heart health strategies that benefit everyone.
A catalyst for equitable heart health solutions
When creating new healthcare tools and treatments, there is a risk they may not help everyone equally – and could even make the unfair differences in health and healthcare worse.
The Victorian Heart Institute is dedicated to launching research programs that deliver life-changing innovations to those who have been historically under-served by the health system.
- Equity-focused innovations: We undertake to design programs and initiatives through an equity lens to ensure inclusivity and accessibility
- Closing gaps in care: From prevention to treatment, we aim to address the root causes of higher hospitalisation and mortality rates in under-served populations
Community-driven heart health solutions
We understand that meaningful solutions must be:
- Led by communities: Partnering with local leaders to ensure initiatives are culturally relevant and effective
- Shaped by lived experiences: Incorporating the voices and insights of community members to design impactful heart health strategies
Research agenda for a healthier future
Our research priorities focus on understanding and addressing the needs of under-served populations, aiming to:
- Reduce hospitalisations and deaths caused by cardiovascular disease
- Tailor prevention and treatment strategies to the unique challenges faced by these communities
- Deliver solutions that are sustainable and scalable for global application