The 56th Cardiac Society of ANZ Annual Scientific Meeting: Focused Symposia on Public Health

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In the February issue of the Journal, selected basic and clinical science symposia from the 56th Cardiac Society of Australia & New Zealand (CSANZ) Annual Scientific Meeting held in Adelaide, were presented. This issue contains material from two further symposia from the meeting: Indigenous Vascular Health and the Health Care Crisis.

The incidence of cardiovascular events amongst the Australian Indigenous population remains approximately three times that of the non-Indigenous community. Moreover, cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death in the Indigenous population. This racial disparity in health outcomes requires urgent attention and key cardiovascular organisations have directed significant resources towards addressing this problem. For example, the Cardiac Society of Australia & New Zealand will convene their ‘Inaugural Indigenous Cardiovascular Health Conference’ in Sydney from 16–17 August 2009.

As a prelude to this important conference, health care workers discussed approaches in addressing these major health issues, at the Adelaide CSANZ meeting. These discussions were led by prominent experts in Indigenous cardiovascular health who spoke at the ‘Indigenous Vascular Health’ symposium; the key concepts of their lectures are published herewith.

Christopher Zeitz addressed strategies that community-based health services should consider in bridging the Australian Indigenous cardiovascular survival gap. Alex Brown reflected on his extensive experience in Indigenous health and proposed health initiatives that could improve cardiovascular health in this high risk population. Luke Burchill provided a unique perspective on how to improve Indigenous vascular health from his experience as an Indigenous cardiologist. Finally, Simon Stewart related his experience from the Heart of Soweto study, to the health problems within Australian Indigenous community demonstrating that common problems exist across diverse communities.

The theme of the 56th CSANZ Annual Scientific Meeting was ‘cardiology in an era of cost constraint’. This was new ground for the CSANZ Annual Scientific Meeting and reflects the changing landscape in modern medicine where it is insufficient to merely demonstrate that a new diagnostic test or therapy improves health outcomes: regulatory authorities now, quite appropriately, require data on cost-effectiveness. This has become a central issue in health care, given that escalating health costs cannot be sustained. Considering this theme, we were honoured to have Professor John Deeble, the architect of the Medicare system in the early 1970's, to deliver the opening address at this meeting.

The ‘Health Care Crisis’ symposium was a key topic at the meeting and the speakers have kindly published important aspects of their lectures in this issue of the Journal. We were privileged to have Michael Armitage, to provide insights into ‘What cost effectiveness means for health funds’. Andrew Tonkin then discussed the importance of preventative strategies in reducing the health burden and thus the impact on the heath care system. Derek Chew summarised how advances in imaging and biochemical techniques have improved diagnostic strategies but how this may not necessarily translate into improved health outcomes for our patients. Finally, Tony Keech and John Horowitz outline cost effectiveness principles and their applicability to several cardiovascular scenarios.

In closing, we once more wish to thank the many colleagues who assisted in organising and those who attended the 56th CSANZ Annual Scientific Meeting in Adelaide, making it a highly successful conference. We are certain that the next meeting, which will be held at the Sydney Convention Centre, Darling Harbour from the 13–16th August 2009, will also be very successful and we look forward to seeing you all there.