Health index in Sichuan based on Cardiovascular Health Index in China

ObjectiveTo evaluate the prevalence, mortality, related risk factors exposure and prevention/control and treatment level of cardiovascular disease in Sichuan province, compare its public health service capacity with all the other provinces in China and provide scientific evidence for decision-making on cardiovascular disease prevention and control, policy support and health investment.

MethodsUsing Delphi analysis, 52 original values (rate or absolute value) of cardiovascular disease related indexes were selected. The index scores and dimension scores were obtained by several main steps such as same trend, standardization, hundred differentiation and weighted sum. The corresponding scores of the three dimensions of the established cardiovascular health index (9 secondary indicators and 29 third-level indicators) were compared with the national and eastern, central and western levels, respectively for a national range analysis.

ResultsThe scores of cardiovascular disease prevalence, risk factor exposure, risk factor prevention/control and treatment, public health policy and service capacity were 73.20 (ranking 6^th), 61.40 (ranking 8^th) and 32.20 (ranking 24^th), 44.50 (ranking 14^th) and 61.40 (ranking 8^th) respectively. In secondary index, the scores of the prevalence rate (80.30, ranking 5^th) and behavior (70.30, ranking 3^rd) were at higher levels, but the scores of PM_2.5 concentration, hypertension prevention and control, diabetes prevention and control, hyperlipemia prevention and control, the successful smoking cessation rate, treatment process and prevention system construction were lower than the national averages. In the third level indexes, the scores of 12 indicators ranked within top 10, and scores of 26 indicators were lower than the national averages. Compared with neighboring Chongqing, the scores of 3 and 7 third-level indicators (60.0% and 63.6%) in the first two dimensions were higher, and the scores of 10 indicators (77.0%) in the third dimension were lower. Compared with Beijing, the index scores in the second dimension were obviously higher, the index scores in other dimensions were lower.

ConclusionAccording to the index analysis, the prevalence of cardiovascular disease and the exposure of risk factors, the public health policy and service capacity in Sichuan are not the most serious compared with other provinces in China, the scores are higher than national average as well as eastern, central and western area averages. The premature death of cardiovascular disease needs to be reduced continuously, and the total numbers of hypertension, hyperglycaemia and hyperlipemia patients and obese people in Sichuan are high and related scores are lower than national and western area averages, indicating necessity to strengthen the prevention and control of these diseases. The capability of cardiovascular disease prevention and treatment in Sichuan needs to be further improved compared with eastern China.