A systematic review in The Lancet Regional Health–Western Pacific identifies three actionable priorities for policymakers and health system leaders working to improve cardiovascular care delivery in resource-constrained Asia-Pacific settings. First, dramatic variation in access to diagnostics, medications, and specialist services across countries demands targeted capacity building informed by local health system contexts. Second, out-of-pocket costs remain a formidable barrier preventing vulnerable populations from seeking CVD prevention and treatment—addressing financial barriers is non-negotiable.
Third, the review highlights primary care-based approaches with task-sharing models as the most implementable pathway to expanding access in under-resourced settings. Rather than building new specialist infrastructure, strengthening frontline primary care teams to manage cardiovascular risk factors offers a scalable solution. These findings provide a practical roadmap for health ministries and organizations committed to reducing CVD mortality inequities across the region.
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