Cardiovascular health has been included as a National Health Priority in recognition of its widespread nature and the potential for prevention:

• cardiovascular disease causes more deaths than any other disease, accounting for 50,797 deaths (40% of all deaths) in Australia in 1998
• coronary artery disease (mainly heart attacks) is the leading singular cardiovascular cause of death, accounting for 27,825 deaths (22% of all deaths) in Australia in 1998
• stroke is the major cause of serious long-term disability in adults
• cardiovascular disease is the most costly disease for the Australian health system. It was responsible for 12% ($3.9 billion) of total recurrent health expenditure in 1993-94.

Much of the burden caused by cardiovascular disease is preventable.

 (Source: NHPA website)

Information on the impact of Cochrane reviews on cardiovascular health care will be available on this site.  Evidence-Based Policy Network members will be notified of its availability in the EBPN bulletin.

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Model for use of Cochrane reviews in health policy

An example from asthma has been provided to demonstrate the potential of embedding Cochrane reviews in policy making processes.  This may provide a model that could be implemented in other areas of healthcare:

• Impact of Cochrane reviews on asthma: a possible model for informing health policy

If you would like to share an example of how you have used Cochrane reviews to inform your work please email the details to Marie Misso.

This website is produced and maintained  by the Australasian Cochrane Centre for members of the Evidence-Based Policy Network, Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.