The Swiss Heart Foundation is involved in the “National Strategy on Cardiovascular Diseases, Stroke and Diabetes”. It promotes research and is committed to education and prevention on the subject of stroke.
In Switzerland, an estimated 16,000 people suffer a stroke each year. One in four of those affected dies and one in three remains disabled, sometimes severely. Brain stroke is thus the third leading cause of death after cardiovascular disease and cancer and the most common cause of noncongenital disability. Although it is still predominantly older people who suffer a stroke today, the number of new cases in 40- to 50-year-olds has been steadily increasing in recent years. An unhealthy lifestyle is mainly responsible for this. The acute intervention, the nursing and therapeutic treatment, the rapid rehabilitative guidance and support, and the often necessary long-term therapy in a rehabilitation facility are very cost-intensive. As a result, cerebral stroke is one of the most expensive diseases.
Improve coordinated care
Last year, the “National Cardiovascular Disease, Stroke and Diabetes Strategy 2017-2024” was published (www.cardiovascsuisse.ch). The Swiss Heart Foundation is one of the sponsoring organizations of the strategy, together with the Swiss Society of Cardiology, the Union of Swiss Vascular Societies, the Swiss Stroke Society, and the diabetes organizations of Switzerland. Representatives of these organizations developed the strategy under the leadership of the CardioVasc Suisse network (umbrella organization of 26 professional societies specializing in circulation). It is intended to help maintain and further strengthen the well-functioning healthcare system and thus the quality of life in Switzerland. Because many of the underlying risk factors can be effectively addressed through prevention and targeted early detection, this is the focus. In Switzerland, these two areas are not promoted enough. The holistic approach is also intended to facilitate coordinated care and help turn interfaces into seams in the ramified healthcare system. The strategy combines the strengths of the numerous organizations involved and, from the perspective of the Confederation, the cantons and Health Promotion Switzerland, complements the “National Strategy for the Prevention of Noncommunicable Diseases” (NCD Strategy).
In four strategy tables, specific goals are formulated and packages of measures are put together, related to the individual disease areas. In addition, there is a table of common strategic priorities across all disease areas. Each table is also divided into three fields of action:
- Field of action 1: Prevention and early detection
- Field of action 2: Needs-based care (patients and environment)
- Field of action 3: Data, quality and financing
Each table presents the objectives and associated measures. A lead organization is assigned to each measure. The latter takes the initiative, clarifies the division of roles and tasks and coordinates or delegates the work on the measure. In addition, possible partners are listed. These are selected organizations, associations or authorities that can or should be involved in the planning and implementation of the measures. The list is not exhaustive and not mandatory for the lead or partner organization.
This is how the strategy is implemented
CardioVasc Suisse will now devote itself to implementing the strategy. A central, multidisciplinary steering committee will be formed for this purpose. The steering committee acts in an advisory capacity and identifies the priority projects of the strategy in consultation with the sponsoring organizations. The focus is on measures that contribute to a reduction in stroke, heart attack, heart failure and diabetes. The elaboration or further development of the projects is the responsibility of the sponsoring organizations, with the steering committee promoting synergies between and broad support among them. Possible interfaces with the federal NCD strategy are reviewed on an ongoing basis. The first actions are to be launched this year after clarification of funding possibilities by public and/or private partners. The steering committee will provide impetus for the development and implementation of new projects to professional societies, patient organizations, authorities and other agencies in a participatory style.
Take-Home Messages
The Swiss Heart Foundation has been active in the field of cardiovascular diseases and stroke for 50 years. It promotes research and is committed to education and prevention. It offers comprehensive information and advice to those affected and their relatives. In stroke education and prevention, the Foundation receives expert support from leading neurologists and members of the Swiss Stroke Society.
CARDIOVASC 2017; 16(2): 34-35
