Improving cardiovascular health with the patient-centered, integrated primary care HEARTS model in Trinidad and Tobago.

This article describes the introduction of the Pan American Health Organization's HEARTS in the Americas program in Trinidad and Tobago and the successful experiences and challenges encountered in introducing and scaling it up as a strategy for strengthening the health system's response to cardiovascular diseases. Evidence about implementation of the HEARTS program in the World Health Organization's Region of the Americas was reviewed to identify the progress made, barriers, success factors and lessons learned. In 2019, the Ministry of Health commenced implementation of the program in 5 (4.

Standardized treatment to improve hypertension control in primary health care: The HEARTS in the Americas Initiative.

Hypertension is the leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) worldwide. Despite the availability of effective antihypertensive medications, the control of hypertension at a global level is dismal, and consequently, the CVD burden continues to increase. In response, countries in Latin America and the Caribbean are implementing the HEARTS in the Americas, a community-based program that focuses on increasing hypertension control and CVD secondary prevention through risk factor mitigation.

Surveillance of dengue fever cases using a novel Aedes aegypti population sampling method in Trinidad, West Indies: the cardinal points approach.

A novel dengue surveillance method is described and used to evaluate 100 suspected dengue fever (DF) cases in county St. Patrick, Trinidad, West Indies. From the 30 confirmed DF cases fully investigated within 48 h of diagnosis, 63% (19/30 houses) of their homes were found harboring Aedes aegypti immature stages.

Blood lead levels in primary school children in Trinidad and Tobago.

This study is the first national baseline survey of blood lead levels (BLLs) conducted on primary school children (ages 5-7 years) in Trinidad and Tobago. A total of 1,761 students from 61 schools participated in the study over a 3-month period. Measurements of capillary BLLs were assessed as well as responses to a risk assessment questionnaire.