Addressing heart disease inequities in the community
Heart disease disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, including:
- Indigenous peoples, who face a higher risk of cardiovascular disease
- Individuals with mental illness, whose health conditions compound their risk
- People living in poverty, who often lack access to adequate care
At the Victorian Heart Institute, we believe that by creating solutions for the most underserved communities, we can develop heart health strategies that benefit everyone.
A catalyst for equitable heart health solutions
The Victorian Heart Institute is dedicated to launching research programs that deliver life-changing innovations to those who have been historically underserved by the health system.
- Equity-focused innovations: Every initiative we undertake is designed through an equity lens to ensure inclusivity and accessibility
- Closing gaps in care: From prevention to treatment, we aim to address the root causes of higher hospitalisation and mortality rates in underserved populations
Community-driven heart health solutions
We understand that meaningful solutions must be:
- Led by communities: Partnering with local leaders to ensure initiatives are culturally relevant and effective
- Shaped by lived experiences: Incorporating the voices and insights of community members to design impactful heart health strategies
Research agenda for a healthier future
Our research priorities focus on the most pressing needs of underserved populations, aiming to:
- Reduce hospitalisations and deaths caused by cardiovascular disease
- Tailor prevention and treatment strategies to the unique challenges faced by these communities
- Deliver solutions that are sustainable and scalable for global application