Educational inequalities in obesity, abdominal obesity, and metabolic syndrome in seven Latin American cities: the CARMELA Study.

Aims: Earlier reviews have found that the proportion of inverse associations between socioeconomic status and obesity increased according to the level of development of the studied country. Based on this finding, it has been hypothesized that in low- to middle- income countries the burden of obesity shifts to disadvantaged groups as a country develops.

Methods And Results: CARMELA is a cross-sectional, population-based observational study that sampled 11,550 women and men age 25-64 from seven major Latin American cities.

Common carotid artery intima-media thickness: the Cardiovascular Risk Factor Multiple Evaluation in Latin America (CARMELA) study results.

Background: Measurement of far wall common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CCAIMT) has emerged as a predictor of incident cardiovascular events. The Cardiovascular Risk Factor Multiple Evaluation in Latin America (CARMELA) study was the first large-scale population-based assessment of both CCAIMT and cardiovascular risk factor prevalence in 7 Latin American cities; the relationship between CCAIMT and cardiovascular risk markers was assessed in these urban Latin American centers.

Methods: CARMELA was a cross-sectional, population-based, observational study using stratified, multistage sampling.

Principles of establishment of the First International Forum on Cross-Border Reproductive Care.

Objective: To discuss the implications of increased cross-border reproductive care and the impetus for the establishment of the First International Forum on Cross-Border Reproductive Care.

Setting: Ottawa, Canada, January 14-16, 2009.

Conclusion(s): The increased use of assisted reproductive techniques, coupled with factors such as the advent of its regulation in some countries, has led to an increase in the number of patients crossing borders to seek fertility treatment.

Dyslipidemia in seven Latin American cities: CARMELA study.

Objective: The objective of this study was to describe the prevalence of dyslipidemia in the CARMELA study population.

Methods: CARMELA was a cross-sectional study of cardiovascular risk conducted between September 2003 and August 2005 in adults (aged 25 to 64 years) living in Barquisimeto (n=1,824), Bogotá (n=1,511), Buenos Aires (n=1,412), Lima (n=1,628), Mexico City (n=1,677), Quito (n=1,620), and Santiago (n=1,605). Dyslipidemia was defined as the presence of one or more of the following conditions: triglycerides>/=200 mg/dL, or total cholesterol (TC)>/=240 mg/dL, or HDL cholesterol<40 mg/dL, or LDL cholesterol=not optimal, or currently taking antilipemic agents.

Hypertension in seven Latin American cities: the Cardiovascular Risk Factor Multiple Evaluation in Latin America (CARMELA) study.

Background: Little information is available regarding hypertension, treatment, and control in urban population of Latin America.

Objective: We aimed to compare blood pressure (BP) distribution, hypertension prevalence, treatment, and control in seven Latin American cities following standard methodology.

Methods: The Cardiovascular Risk Factor Multiple Evaluation in Latin America (CARMELA) study was a cross-sectional, epidemiologic study assessing cardiovascular risk factors using stratified multistage sampling of adult populations (aged 25-64 years) in seven cities: Barquisimeto (Venezuela; n = 1848); Bogotá (n = 1553); Buenos Aires (n = 1482); Lima (n = 1652); Mexico City (n = 1720); Quito (n = 1638); and Santiago (n = 1655).

Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in Latin America and its association with sub-clinical carotid atherosclerosis: the CARMELA cross sectional study.

Background: Metabolic syndrome increases cardiovascular risk. Limited information on its prevalence in Latin America is available. The Cardiovascular Risk Factor Multiple Evaluation in Latin America (CARMELA) study included assessment of metabolic syndrome in 7 urban Latin American populations.

Cardiovascular risk awareness, treatment, and control in urban Latin America.

Effective prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases require regular screening for risk factors, high awareness of the condition, effective treatment of the identified risk factors, and adherence to the prescribed treatment. The Cardiovascular Risk Factor Multiple Evaluation in Latin America study was a cross-sectional, population-based, observational study of major cardiovascular risk factors-including hypertension, diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia-in 7 Latin American cities. This report presents data on assessment, diagnosis, extent, and effectiveness of treatment, adherence to treatment, and reasons for nonadherence.

Can the Canadian Heart Health Initiative inform the population Health Intervention Research Initiative for Canada?

Objectives: The aim of the Population Health Intervention Research Initiative for Canada (PHIRIC) is to build capacity to increase the quantity, quality and use of population health intervention research. But what capacity is required, and how should capacity be created? There may be relevant lessons from the Canadian Heart Health Initiative (CHHI), a 20-year initiative (1986-2006) that was groundbreaking in its attempt to bring together researchers and public health leaders (from government and non-government organizations) to jointly plan, conduct and act on relevant evidence. The present study focused on what enabled and constrained the ability to fund, conduct and use science in the CHHI.

CARMELA: assessment of cardiovascular risk in seven Latin American cities.

Objective: This cross-sectional, population-based observational study using stratified multistage sampling assessed the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and carotid plaques and measured carotid intima-media thickness in individuals living in major cities in 7 Latin American countries.

Patients And Methods: The study comprised individuals (n=11,550) aged 25 to 64 years, living in Barquisimeto, Bogota, Buenos Aires, Lima, Mexico City, Quito, and Santiago. Data on anthropometric parameters, blood pressure, fasting glucose, total and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, carotid intima-media thickness, carotid plaque, and smoking status were collected through household interviews and clinical, biochemical, and sonographic measurements.

Issues influencing development of the Canadian Cardiovascular Information Network.

The 1995 Consensus Conference of the Canadian Cardiovascular Society on "Indications for and Access to Revascularization" recommended that Canadian centres with invasive cardiovascular facilities should participate in a national observational database that monitors the selection of patients, as well as evaluate outcomes. The Canadian Cardiovascular Society, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, and Health Canada with IBM as a partner, initiated a process to identify factors influencing the development of the Canadian Cardiovascular Information Network. IBM's "Business Discovery Methodology" was adapted for health care.

The role of the World Heart Federation in cardiovascular health promotion and disease prevention in developing countries with a special emphasis on sub-Saharan Africa.

The World Heart Federation (WHF) is a non-governmental organization dedicated to the prevention and control of cardiovascular diseases. The Federation is committed to helping the global population achieve a longer life, of improved quality, through prevention and control of heart disease and stroke, with a particular focus on low- and middle-income countries. The WHF comprises 167 member societies of cardiology and heart foundations from 100 countries and continental members.