Health equity in cardiovascular care: A clinical imperative for better outcomes

These disparities are shaped by a complex web of social determinants of health (SDOH) ranging from income and education to housing, transportation, race, ethnicity, and geography. These factors directly impact on a person’s ability to engage in preventive care, manage chronic conditions, and access timely treatment.

Addressing these social, economic, and environmental issues is not a matter of politics; it is a matter of clinical urgency—especially given the ever-increasing global burden of cardiovascular disease. A patient living in a food desert may struggle to maintain a heart-healthy diet. Lack of reliable transportation can lead to missed appointments and poor medication adherence. Economic and/or political instability may force trade-offs between health and housing or food.