[HEARTS quality: a policy framework to strengthen hypertension and cardiovascular risk management in primary healthcare - insights from HEARTS in the AmericasQualidade da iniciativa HEARTS: marco de políticas para fortalecer o manejo da hipertensão e do risco cardiovascular na atenção primária à saúde. Perspectivas da iniciativa HEARTS nas Américas].
HEARTS in the Americas is the largest-scale implementation of the WHO's global initiative, with 33 countries participating, 28 having adopted standardized clinical pathways, and about 10 000 primary healthcare facilities engaged. Despite progress, fragmented care, limited availability of validated blood pressure devices, restricted access to essential medicines, and weak quality assurance systems continue to hinder hypertension control and cardiovascular risk management. In response, PAHO and participating countries co-developed the HEARTS Quality Framework. Grounded in regional implementation, this model synthesizes global evidence and lessons from Latin America and the Caribbean. Co-designed by Ministries of Health, care providers, and international experts, it translates HEARTS strategies into actionable system-level objectives. Clearly defined outcome indicators and implementation targets promote institutionalization, quality improvement, and primary healthcare strengthening- supporting HEARTS scale-up and equitable outcomes. With appropriate contextualization, the HEARTS Quality Framework provides a practical roadmap for countries beyond the Region to advance primary healthcare-based chronic disease care.
Authors
Londoño Londoño, Gupta Gupta, Van der Stuyft Van der Stuyft, Heine Heine, Giraldo Giraldo, Ku Ku, Brettler Brettler, Rosende Rosende, Irazola Irazola, Toelsie Toelsie, Neira Neira, Aumala Aumala, Valdés Valdés, Zúñiga Zúñiga, Rodríguez Rodríguez, Villatoro Villatoro, Escobar Escobar, Pérez Pérez, Bencomo Bencomo, Pereira Pereira, de la Rosa de la Rosa, Ordunez Ordunez
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