Contrasting cardiovascular mortality trends in Eastern Mediterranean populations: Contributions from risk factor changes and treatments.

Background: Middle income countries are facing an epidemic of non-communicable diseases, especially coronary heart disease (CHD). We used a validated CHD mortality model (IMPACT) to explain recent trends in Tunisia, Syria, the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) and Turkey.

Methods: Data on populations, mortality, patient numbers, treatments and risk factor trends from national and local surveys in each country were collated over two time points (1995-97; 2006-09); integrated and analysed using the IMPACT model.

Health system challenges for the management of cardiovascular disease and diabetes: an empirical qualitative study from Syria.

Objectives: To explore through empirical qualitative data health system barriers to effective management of cardiovascular disease and diabetes in Syria before the crisis, and how such analysis can inform the building of a post-crisis system.

Methods: Data were collected through document review, semi-structured key informant interviews, and fieldwork in clinics.

Results: Institutional commitment to address the increasing burden of CVD and diabetes in Syria was limited and uncoordinated.

Health system challenges of cardiovascular disease and diabetes in four Eastern Mediterranean countries.

This paper presents evidence from research into health system challenges of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes in four Eastern Mediterranean countries: the occupied Palestinian territory, Syria, Tunisia and Turkey. We address two questions. How has the health system in each country been conceptualised and organised to manage the provision of care for those with CVD or diabetes? And what were key concerns about the institutional ability to address this challenge? Research took place from 2009 to 2010, shortly before the political upheavals in the region, and notably in Syria and Tunisia.