Asia-Pacific Heart Health Charter

The Asia-Pacific Heart Health Charter was developed by the Asia- Pacific Heart Network (APHN) in collaboration with Asia Pacific Society of Cardiology (APSC) to help stem the growing burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its social economic impact on the region’s four billion inhabitants.

Why we developed the Charter

APHN developed the Asia-Pacific Heart Health Charter for the Asian-Pacific region that can serve as an advocacy guide and tool for organizations committed to improving cardiovascular health outcomes.

The Asia-Pacific region is diverse with both developed and emerging economic countries total of 51 countries. Every year approximately eight million people die from CVD, the No.1 killer and 80% of the global death caused by CVD.

Low- and Middle- income countries (LIC & MIC) in the Asia-Pacific region differ in stages of their economic development and levels of their health system. The lack of financial and human resources is placing major constraints which results in creating serious obstacles to promote public health.

CVD is largely preventable. Risk factors include tobacco consumption, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, unhealthy diet, excessive alcohol consumption, overweight/obesity, and insufficient physical activity. Significant change can be achieved rapidly through a variety of measures; however multiple public approaches are needed.

The need for action is clear …. BECAUSE,

• In the next 20 years, Asia will be faced with a crippling epidemic of heart disease and stroke on a scale previously unknown.
• About half the world’s CVD burden occurs in the Asia-Pacific Region.
• With about 8 million deaths a year, CVD is set to dramatically increase in the decades ahead.
• The morbidity and mortality associate with CVD will impose enormous social and economic costs across the region.

What is the charter?

This Charter sets out the need for all nations to have national action plans for CVD, encompassing a variety of key evidence-based approaches that will help stem the tide of CVD facing our region.

The Asia-Pacific Heart Health Charter is:

• a framework for national CVD action plans
• a roadmap to counter the CVD epidemic
• a call to action and advocacy tool
• a rallying point for heart foundations and cardiac societies

FULL VERSION of the Asia Pacific Heart Health Charter