Advancing Cardiovascular Health Equity Globally Through Digital Technologies

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Digital health technologies are important public health interventions for addressing the burden of cardiovascular disease. In this article, we discuss the importance of translating digital innovations in research‐funded projects to low‐resource settings globally to advance global cardiovascular health equity. We also discuss current global cardiovascular health inequities and the digital health divide within and between countries. We present various considerations for translating digital innovations across different settings across the globe, including reciprocal innovation, a “bidirectional, co‐constituted, and iterative exchange of ideas, resources, and innovations to address shared health challenges across diverse global settings.” In this case, afferent reciprocal innovations may flow from high‐income countries toward low‐ and middle‐income countries, and efferent reciprocal innovations may be exported to high‐income countries from low‐ and middle‐income countries with adaptation. Finally, we discuss opportunities for bidirectional learning between local and global institutions and highlight examples of projects funded through the American Heart Association Health and Innovation Strategically Funded Research Network that have been adapted to lower‐resource settings or have the potential to be adapted to lower‐resource settings.

Keywords

• cardiovascular disease
• disparities
• health equity
• machine learning and artificial intelligence
• translational studies