The Adverse Effects of Wealth on Cardiovascular Health: A Scientific Statement of the International College of Cardiology.
Loading...
Date
2013-01
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Background and Aims: Increase in economic status may be associated with increased
consumption of Western type of foods and sedentary behaviour. In the present review, we
discuss that increase in wealth may be associated with adverse effects on health
behaviour Study Design and Methods: Internet search and discussion with colleagues.
Results: Review of studies indicate that with increase in wealth, there is increased
consumption of high fat, ready prepared foods and decrease in physical activity in most of
the countries resulting in obesity and metabolic syndrome, leading to cardiovascular
diseases (CVDs) and other chronic conditions. Many experts during the United Nations
High Level Meeting in Sept 2011, misinterpreted the WHO estimates and proposed that,
of total deaths, 22·4 million arise in the poorest countries, and 13.7 million in high-income
and upper-middle-income countries and therefore poverty may be the major cause of
deaths due to non-communicable diseases (NCDs). A recent study shows that 57.0 % of
deaths in adults (aged 25-64 years) were due to CVDs and other chronic diseases, 25.5%
due to communicable diseases and 15.9% due to injury and accidents. The deaths due to
NCDs were highly prevalent among higher social classes compared to lower social
classes who had greater deaths due to communicable diseases. It is interesting to know
from new data from United States, that there is ‘Wealth’ without cardiovascular health in
America. The whole world is likely to have the same scenario in the near future.
Conclusions: Increase in wealth may be associated with altered health behaviour;
greater consumption of unhealthy foods, tobacco consumption, mental load and
sedentary behaviour resulting in increased risk of deaths due to CVDs and other chronic
diseases which may change with knowledge about health education. Wealth may cause
extension in life by buying of expensive drug therapy, intervention and surgery which are
known to add income and employment in the west.
Description
Keywords
Deaths, diet and lifestyle, heart disease, non-communicable diseases
Citation
Singh R B, Hristova K, Muthusamy V V, Rastogi S S, Basu T K, Toda E, Takahashi T, Fedacko J, Pella D, Meester F De, Wilson D W, Mondal R N, Ishaq M, Mohideen M R. The Adverse Effects of Wealth on Cardiovascular Health: A Scientific Statement of the International College of Cardiology. Cardiology and Angiology An International Journal. 2013 Jan-June; 1(1): 9-22.