WASHINGTON, CMC – A cross-sectional study evaluating hypertension control using the HEARTS approach in primary care in Trinidad and Tobago is among the articles published in a special issue of the Pan American Journal of Public Health that explores the role of primary health care in addressing non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) said that the special issue is dedicated to strengthening primary health care to address NCDs in the Americas, including the Caribbean.
Apart from Trinidad and Tobago, the special issue, supported financially by the government of Denmark through the World Health Organization (WHO), brings together studies and experiences from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, and Peru.
Topics include implementation of clinical guidelines, integrated care models, and the influence of social determinants on treatment adherence, highlighting the importance of a person- and community-centered approach.
PAHO said NCDs, including cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases, are the leading cause of death in the Americas, causing six million deaths in 2021, nearly four out of 10 of which were premature, affecting people under 70 years of age.
In addition, it is estimated that more than 250 million people in the Americas are living with an NCD and require ongoing care to manage their condition better.
PAHO said that evidence shows that NCDs can be effectively controlled and quality of life improved, and that a significant portion of premature deaths could be prevented through more accessible, effective, and higher-quality primary care services.
“This special issue documents, through a series of scientific articles, the progress, challenges, and lessons learned from initiatives led by ministries of health, academic institutions, civil society organizations, and PAHO to improve the screening, diagnosis, treatment, and management of NCDs at the primary care level.”
PAHO said a central focus is its Better Care for NCDs initiative, which includes the HEARTS initiative and has contributed to improved hypertension and other NCD management in primary care across multiple countries in the region.
It said the articles show that investing in primary care for NCDs is a feasible, necessary, and cost-effective strategy, and a key component in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of reducing premature NCD mortality by one-third by 2030.
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