Sister to Sister

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The epidemic of cardiovascular disease in developing nations is growing at an alarming rate. China’s major health threats are chronic diseases, now accounting for more than three-quarters of all deaths. Specifically, cardiovascular diseases are currently the leading cause of death in China, responsible for 2.6 million deaths annually. By 2020, this figure is projected to increase to 4 million deaths per year. The World Health Organization has estimated that the total cost of cardiovascular disease in China in 2005 was US $250 billion with projections for an increase to US $460 billion by 2015.

Still, the vast majority of cases are caused by a small number of known and preventable risk factors. Three of the most important risk factors are an unhealthy diet (processed foods that are high in fat and sodium), increased tobacco use, and, in places such as China, a significant move from rural areas to urban centers that has resulted in a more sedentary lifestyle and poor air quality. Fortunately, up to 80 percent of premature deaths from cardiovascular disease can be averted with known behavioral and pharmaceutical interventions.

Sister to Sister’s Global Cardiologist Development Program aims to increase international collaboration by establishing various networking opportunities during the foreign physicians’ visits that can be cultivated and continued once they return home.

In February 2010, through a grant from the American Women of International Understanding, two Chinese female cardiologists will spend two weeks in the United States participating in the program. This initiative provides international physicians with the opportunity to learn from top cardiologists and gain access to our country’s premier heart research centers.
 
In the United States, Sister to Sister has reached over 200,000 women with our heart health education and awareness efforts. Now we strive to help women around the world.

For more information, contact Lisa Townsend at ltownsend@sistertosister.org.