Heart failure (HF) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in high income countries. Shortage of population based HF studies from Low and Middle Income countries (LMIC) make global prevalence estimates difficult. In this editorial we discuss the possibility of generating HF data in LMICs by initiating HF surveillance systems integrated into the existing health surveillance system..

Key Points Question What are the costs and risks of impoverishment for patients with acute myocardial infarction and their families in Kerala, India, and how do these factors vary by health insurance status? Findings In this prespecified cross-sectional substudy of a randomized clinical trial, 2114 respondents reported $480 international dollars in out-of-pocket costs per acute myocardial infarction, with $400 international dollars in higher costs among individuals without insurance vs those with insurance. Catastrophic health spending was also higher among individuals without insurance (58.1% vs 39.9%) as was distress financing (9.7% vs 3.1%). Meaning Survivors of acute myocardial infarction in Kerala may face high costs and risk for impoverishment, and expansion of insurance access and coverage should be considered for financial risk protection.

No abstract

No abstract