Cardiovascular Disease and
Global Health Equity

Course Description

Cardiovascular disease is a major health problem among the poor in low- and lower-middle income countries (LMICs). There is increasing demand from LMIC governments and non-governmental organizations for partnerships with cardiovascular specialists in high-income countries to develop research and clinical capacity. This two-day course in Global Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) and Global Health Equity (GHE) will equip attendees with the knowledge, clinical skills, and assessment strategies needed to deepen their involvement in cardiovascular policy and service delivery in LMICs. Cardiovascular diseases in these populations include rheumatic and congenital heart disease, cardiomyopathies, pericardial disease, and hypertensive heart disease. Often these conditions present at advanced stages. In highly-constrained health systems, interventions to address cardiovascular disease must be simplified and integrated with interventions to address other communicable and noncommunicable conditions. The course is taught by Harvard Medical School and visiting faculty with extensive experience in global cardiovascular care and research. Attendees can specifically expect to learn about:

1. Global cardiovascular policy, epidemiology, and opportunities for engagement
2. Approaches to the diagnosis and management of cardiovascular disease in highly-constrained health systems, including simplified echocardiographic strategies
3. Development of integrated care teams to address severe and common cardiovascular diseases, including increasing access to cardiac surgery

This course is targeted at adult and pediatric cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, anesthesiologists, internal medicine physicians, pediatricians, nurses, public health practitioners, researchers, fellows, and residents interested in cardiovascular policy and service delivery in LMICs.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to:

• Describe the distinctive burden of cardiovascular disease in LMICs and the policy implications to address it. 
• Apply simplified echocardiographic techniques to improve access to cardiac surgery and management of severe chronic NCDs through integrated care teams 
• Build clinical and research capacity and monitor and evaluate cardiovascular outcomes in LMICs settings.

Target Audience

This course is targeted at adult and pediatric cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, anesthesiologists, internal medicine physicians, pediatricians, nurses, public health practitioners, researchers, fellows, and residents interested in cardiovascular policy and service delivery in LMICs.

ABMS/ACGME Competencies

The course is designed to meet the following American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) / Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Educational (ACGME) competencies:

• Medical Knowledge
• Practice-Based Learning and Improvement
• Systems-based Practice

IOM Competencies

The course is designed to meet the following Institute of Medicine (IOM) Competencies:

• Work in Interdisciplinary Teams
• Employ Evidence-Based Practice
• Apply Quality Improvement