Is Health Promotion the Starting Point of Primary Cardiovascular Care in Low- and Middle-Income Countries Like Nepal?

Abstract

Background. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are on the rise in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) but have not received adequate priority. With a lack of concrete policy and programs, the present emphasis of CVD management in most LMICs is on curative aspects. Nepal is a prototype in this trend as it is treatment centric, particularly in urban areas. A major drawback of cure-centrism is that it requires both larger funds and more skilled manpower—both of which are limited in Nepal and other LMICs. Aims. In this article, the authors suggest a possible role of health promotion as starting point for tackling the rising burden of CVDs in LMICs with Nepal as example. Conclusions. Health promotion is practiced in Nepal in connection with many health care programs and could be used to include CVD preventive strategies. The authors believe this to be a first step to increase health literacy toward CVD in the general population which may help bridge limited funds and manpower that the current curative-centric CVD strategy requires. Thus, health promotion strategies should be a tempting option for many LMICs and deserve further explorative attention.