Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases

O ver the past two decades, the United States has witnessed noteworthy increases in life expectancy and major decreases in the death toll attributed to cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Ageadjusted death rates from coronary heart disease (CHD) are now half what they were 20 years ago, and death rates from stroke have declined even more sharply. It is well recognized that research in epidemiology and prevention of CVD has made major contributions to these favorable trends. Nonetheless, the public health and economic burden of CVD is still considerable, and much remains to be discovered if we are to achieve effective disease control and prevention. To identify new opportunities and chart a course for future research efforts, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) in 1992 convened a Task Force on Research in Epidemiology and Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases. Composed of national experts, the task force was charged to review the state of knowledge in epidemiology and prevention of CVD over the past 5 years and develop a comprehensive plan, including scientific priorities, for NHLBI support of research in this area over the next several years. During a series of meetings that spanned nearly 2 years, the task force members worked to develop a detailed report of its findings and conclusions. The full report is available on the NHLBI Gopher (accessible through the Internet Gopher client-Server: gopher.nhlbi.nih.gov, Port: 70). A printed copy can be obtained from Charlene French, NHLBI, Building 31, Room 5A03, National Institutes of Health, 31 Center Dr, MSC 2482, Bethesda, MD 20892-2482. The summary that follows was prepared by the task force to highlight its overall findings. It conveys an appreciation of how far we have come and a vision of what the future holds. The Institute is very pleased to have this report to guide its activities with respect to CVD epidemiology and prevention. We are grateful to the task force chair, Dr Albert Oberman; the subgroup chairs, Drs Lewis H. Kuller and Richard A. Carleton; and the members for their valuable contribution to this important and timely endeavor.