Given all the attention focused on the devastating effects of COVID-19, one might think it is the leading cause of death in the United States. But the death toll is extremely high: Although nearly 1.2 million Americans have died from the coronavirus in the past four years, heart disease remains the leading cause of death, with landslides still the cause. 2021 was the year with the highest number of deaths from COVID-19 (416,893 people), and deaths due to heart disease increased by 60% (695,000 people) in the United States. But perhaps more surprising is that most or many of these deaths were preventable.

The leading cause of heart attacks in the United States is high blood pressure. High blood pressure and heart disease are often thought of as diseases of the elderly, but people of all ages can be affected. Women are just as at risk as men. Heart disease and high blood pressure are the leading causes of maternal and infant deaths each year.

Although there is no vaccine to prevent high blood pressure, there are effective preventive measures. The risk of high blood pressure can be reduced by reducing salt intake, and heart disease can be reduced by not smoking, adopting a low-cholesterol diet, and exercising regularly. Certain medications, such as those that lower cholesterol, also reduce the risk of heart disease. blood pressure medicine. and antiplatelet drugs. With the exception of newer weight loss drugs, most of these drugs are covered by insurance and readily available.

So why, despite these precautions, does heart disease continue to be a silent killer? Because we don’t. handle It’s something that can be prevented. Tens of millions of adults, including those at high risk, are not tested for high blood pressure. Prescribed appropriate medication. or monitored over time. Less than half of people diagnosed with high blood pressure in the United States control their high blood pressure with medication.

Ritualizing and encouraging heart disease screening and treatment as part of health care could dramatically change these mortality rates. This is not just a theory; there is evidence that it works. Several years ago, the CDC recognized that Minnesota’s hypertension control rate was about 70%, much higher than the national average. It wasn’t always that way. The state approached her mid-90s national average. However, a combination of efforts including extensive collaboration between healthcare providers and payers to set specific heart disease-related clinical guidelines for appropriate care. Ability to provide feedback regarding compliance with these guidelines. And financial incentives for clinician compliance have helped lead the way.

For several years, CDC has worked with CMS to million heart It’s a multifaceted effort to reduce heart disease. Some of its efforts focus on promoting health behaviors at the community level, such as increasing screening efforts. Enhancing the benefits of prescription and over-the-counter medications. Targeting communities at high risk for heart disease due to social and economic circumstances.

New technologies can also be leveraged to improve prevention efforts. Sharing data between the medical and public health sectors can improve understanding of communities at increased risk. Artificial intelligence (AI) can help analyze clinical, demographic, and socio-economic data to improve patient care efforts and inform policy makers, clinicians, and community members. It will turn out.

Although prevention efforts are making progress, the following government efforts are effective: million heart And the WISEWOMAN program is hampered by a lack of funding. This is a frustrating obstacle, especially given the number of heart disease-related deaths in the United States. In the most recent fiscal year, CDC’s heart disease and stroke related items amounted to about $155 million, a drop in the bucket compared to the billions spent on the pandemic response and a fraction of the cost of paying for the effects of heart disease. That’s just part of it.

During the pandemic, we’ve seen some setbacks when it comes to heart disease prevention, as fewer patients undergo annual check-ups and screenings, and health systems have understandably focused on preventing the coronavirus and its impact on health. I did. But now is the time to reverse those setbacks.

There is a clear role that individuals, governments and the private sector can play in reducing heart disease. On an individual level, we all need to eat a healthy diet, exercise, smoke, and talk to our health care providers about preventive measures.

Government agencies like the FDA could redouble the National Salt Reduction Initiative’s efforts to limit excess sodium in processed foods. Meanwhile, CMS could strengthen quality standards and financial incentives that reward clinicians for monitoring and treating high blood pressure and unhealthy cholesterol levels.There is also ample opportunity for Congress to increase funding for the CDC. million heart Initiative.

At the same time, federal agencies will continue to modernize their data systems, including through the use of AI, to identify high-risk populations, evaluate the most effective interventions, and customize messages to different populations. can.

Meanwhile, the food industry should take the lead in reducing salt consumption, demonstrating that it has a responsibility to drive positive change without government coercion or public confusion.

The biggest cause of preventable death may be never having access to a level of coronavirus-specific support. But it’s not just the viral pandemic that should mobilize the nation. With increased attention, resources, and action, we can finally begin to turn the tide.

About John Auerbach, ICF Senior Vice President for Federal Health

John is ICF’s principal federal health expert and thought leader for the company’s public sector business. Amid major global health and societal challenges, his ICF capabilities and solutions for federal health agencies are more important than ever. John’s Thoughts Through his leadership, ICF combines proven expertise and scientific expertise with cutting-edge analytical and technology solutions to drive improved health outcomes for our clients.

John comes to ICF from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), where he most recently served as Director of Intergovernmental and Strategic Affairs. In this role, he served as the lead strategic advisor for his CDC’s engagement with federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial government agencies, public health, and other external partners. He also oversaw CDC’s Health Equity Workgroup and served as chief equity officer for CDC’s COVID-19 response.