Atherosclerosis and other cardiometabolic diseases are the leading causes of death worldwide, yet millions in lower- and middle-income countries still lack essential diagnostics and lifesaving medicines. The fact that so many are overlooked when effective interventions are readily available elsewhere is a shocking injustice.
Throughout my career as a physician working in public health care in South Africa, I have seen firsthand the difference access to quality health care can make to the lives of patients and their families.
Given the staggering inequalities in cardiovascular care across the globe, it is essential to unlock financing and innovation to address cardiometabolic diseases and break social barriers to accessing care.
Printing articles to share with others is a breach of our terms and conditions and copyright policy. Please use the sharing options on the left side of the article. Devex Pro members may share up to 10 articles per month using the Pro share tool ( ).
About the author
Dirk Blom
Professor Dirk Blom is president-elect of the International Atherosclerosis Society, a global network of leading atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease experts across over 70 countries. Blom is also the head of the division of lipidology at the University of Cape Town and heads the Lipid Clinic at Groote Schuur Hospital.
