Overview

HPP was commissioned by the National Institute of Prevention and Cardiovascular Health (NIPC) to help develop a new vision for Ireland’s national cardiovascular disease (CVD) strategy. This initiative united key stakeholders behind a clear and unequivocal call to action to the national parliament.

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The challenge

CVD remains the leading cause of death in Ireland; but 80% of those deaths are deemed preventable.

Despite this, CVD has been under-prioritised by national decision-makers – notably in the lapse of the 2009–19 National Cardiovascular Strategy, its underfunding and under-realisation, and the absence of a modernised strategy since.

The cost of this deficit of leadership is severe; Ireland has the lowest rate of hypertension detection in Western Europe.

What we achieved

HPP supported the NIPC and key national stakeholders to outline a modernised vision for cardiovascular health, framed around an original concept of prevention at all stages.
The final position paper was endorsed by a comprehensive body of stakeholders, including the leading clinical, professional and NGO cardiovascular actors in Ireland.
Through extensive research and expert consensus-building, we identified five components of effective prevention and four system-wide changes that could enable progress in CVD prevention.
The paper was launched with direct ministerial involvement in Dublin in February 2023. The framework has informed discussions on coordinated prevention strategies in the Irish health system.

Project information

This project was initiated and funded by the National Institute of Prevention and Cardiovascular Health, Ireland. For more information, see the project page.