Home / life-style / Experts Call for Equal Access to Heart Health: A Lifestyle Change for Everyone
Experts Call for Equal Access to Heart Health: A Lifestyle Change for Everyone
By: My India Times
3 minutes read 66Updated At: 2024-11-21

Cardiovascular diseases, which claim approximately 17 million lives globally each year, are one of the leading causes of death, with acute myocardial infarction (heart attacks) causing more than half of these fatalities. However, what’s most alarming is not just the statistics, but the unequal access to life-saving health knowledge and treatment.
In China, where over one million new cases of myocardial infarction are reported annually, the government has taken a step forward by designating November 20 as Myocardial Infarction Treatment Day. This day aims not only to raise awareness but also to underscore the critical need for accessible healthcare for all. Despite efforts, millions—particularly those in underprivileged communities—continue to face barriers in accessing both preventative education and timely treatment.
As winter approaches and the risk of cardiovascular issues increases, experts emphasize that heart disease prevention must be framed as a human right. Health experts, like Dr. Wang Liansheng, Chief Cardiologist at Jiangsu Provincial People's Hospital, are urging governments and organizations worldwide to recognize that heart health isn't a luxury but a fundamental right for every individual—regardless of income or geographic location.
Dr. Wang explains, “In many parts of the world, people are still unaware of simple, preventative measures that can save lives. Access to knowledge and resources shouldn't be a privilege for the few but a right for everyone.â€
Sadly, modern lifestyles—rife with unhealthy eating habits, sedentary routines, and stress—are increasingly taking their toll on people’s health. And while younger generations are more vulnerable to heart diseases, many of them also lack the resources to take control of their health.
But it's not just about awareness. The real challenge is ensuring equitable access to health resources that empower individuals to make healthier choices. According to Dr. Wang, “Living in a society where heart health education is accessible and free for all is not just idealistic, it’s a necessity. Every person deserves to know how to live a healthy life and prevent heart disease.â€
Experts recommend the Mediterranean diet—rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, and healthy fats—as one of the most effective ways to prevent heart disease. But while the Mediterranean diet is lauded globally, access to such healthy foods remains out of reach for many, particularly those in low-income communities.
Exercise is another crucial element in heart disease prevention, and yet millions live in environments where safe outdoor spaces or gym facilities are not readily available. Dr. Wang advocates for simple changes, like incorporating 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week, including walking or swimming, but also urges governments to create infrastructures that make such activity possible for all.
Perhaps most urgently, experts are calling for improved public health policies that recognize the importance of heart disease prevention and the right to accessible, affordable healthcare. This includes ensuring that preventive services like screening and counseling are available to everyone, not just those who can afford private health plans.
“Health is a basic human right, and no one should have to suffer because they lacked access to basic heart health education or timely treatment,†says Dr. Wang. “We must work to create a world where everyone, no matter their background or income, can take action to protect their hearts.â€
By focusing on heart health as a human right, we can create a future where no one is left behind. Every individual, regardless of their circumstances, should have the opportunity to live a long, healthy life—free from the preventable ravages of cardiovascular disease.
....Cardiovascular diseases, which claim approximately 17 million lives globally each year, are one of the leading causes of death, with acute myocardial infarction (heart attacks) causing more than half of these fatalities. However, what’s most alarming is not just the statistics, but the unequal access to life-saving health knowledge and treatment.
In China, where over one million new cases of myocardial infarction are reported annually, the government has taken a step forward by designating November 20 as Myocardial Infarction Treatment Day. This day aims not only to raise awareness but also to underscore the critical need for accessible healthcare for all. Despite efforts, millions—particularly those in underprivileged communities—continue to face barriers in accessing both preventative education and timely treatment.
As winter approaches and the risk of cardiovascular issues increases, experts emphasize that heart disease prevention must be framed as a human right. Health experts, like Dr. Wang Liansheng, Chief Cardiologist at Jiangsu Provincial People's Hospital, are urging governments and organizations worldwide to recognize that heart health isn't a luxury but a fundamental right for every individual—regardless of income or geographic location.
Dr. Wang explains, “In many parts of the world, people are still unaware of simple, preventative measures that can save lives. Access to knowledge and resources shouldn't be a privilege for the few but a right for everyone.â€
Sadly, modern lifestyles—rife with unhealthy eating habits, sedentary routines, and stress—are increasingly taking their toll on people’s health. And while younger generations are more vulnerable to heart diseases, many of them also lack the resources to take control of their health.
But it's not just about awareness. The real challenge is ensuring equitable access to health resources that empower individuals to make healthier choices. According to Dr. Wang, “Living in a society where heart health education is accessible and free for all is not just idealistic, it’s a necessity. Every person deserves to know how to live a healthy life and prevent heart disease.â€
Experts recommend the Mediterranean diet—rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, and healthy fats—as one of the most effective ways to prevent heart disease. But while the Mediterranean diet is lauded globally, access to such healthy foods remains out of reach for many, particularly those in low-income communities.
Exercise is another crucial element in heart disease prevention, and yet millions live in environments where safe outdoor spaces or gym facilities are not readily available. Dr. Wang advocates for simple changes, like incorporating 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week, including walking or swimming, but also urges governments to create infrastructures that make such activity possible for all.
Perhaps most urgently, experts are calling for improved public health policies that recognize the importance of heart disease prevention and the right to accessible, affordable healthcare. This includes ensuring that preventive services like screening and counseling are available to everyone, not just those who can afford private health plans.
“Health is a basic human right, and no one should have to suffer because they lacked access to basic heart health education or timely treatment,†says Dr. Wang. “We must work to create a world where everyone, no matter their background or income, can take action to protect their hearts.â€
By focusing on heart health as a human right, we can create a future where no one is left behind. Every individual, regardless of their circumstances, should have the opportunity to live a long, healthy life—free from the preventable ravages of cardiovascular disease.
By: My India Times
Updated At: 2024-11-21
Tags: life-style News | My India Times News | Trending News | Travel News
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