FRIDAY, Aug. 11, 2023 (HealthDay News) — Resources need to be invested in pediatric preventive cardiology programs, according to a scientific advisory published online Aug. 8 in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.

Noting that there is a lack of clarity on best practices to optimize and sustain desired outcomes for pediatric preventive cardiology programs, Amanda M. Perak, M.D., from Northwestern University in Chicago, and colleagues conducted surveys of pediatric cardiology division directors and pediatric preventive cardiology clinicians across the United States and Canada.

The authors found 47 percent of the respondents reported that their division had a dedicated preventive cardiology program, including in 65 percent of large pediatric cardiology divisions. Most respondents agreed that a dedicated program is a core part of the pediatric cardiology division, including 71 percent of large pediatric cardiology divisions. Most respondents agreed that preventive cardiology programs are valuable for public health, community, and improving clinical outcomes for patients and as an entry point for patients/families into the health system. The biggest challenges for the programs included lack of clinical resources, including physicians, dieticians, and clinical support; lack of interest or dedication from health care teams; financial sustainability; and lack of patient adherence. To improve the practice of pediatric preventive cardiology, the authors said updated guidelines, a registry study for outcomes, studies of novel care models in primary prevention, and advanced fellowship training programs are needed.

“Pediatric preventive cardiology services are in high demand but are underresourced and operating with limited guidance,” the authors write. “We urge policymakers, payers, hospitals, heart centers, professional societies, foundations, and funders to match investments into pediatric preventive cardiology to the gravity and urgency of our youths’ high burden of cardiovascular disease risk.”

Several authors disclosed ties to the biopharmaceutical industry.

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