AN OVERVIEW OF THE TRENDS OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES IN BIH
Aim: The aim of this paper is to assess the available data sources on the trends of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and related risk factors in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), in comparison with data from some of the neighbouring countries and the European Region average of the World Health Organization (WHO). Background: Mortality and morbidity from cardiovascular diseases in BiH are influenced by interaction of different socio-economic factors, metabolic and behavioural risk factors. Methods: Analysis of trends of CVDs mortality in BiH in the 2005-2014 period, with use of available data from the Agency for Statistics of BiH, entity Institutes for Public Health and the results of the population surveys conducted and analysed for BiH. Comparison of CVD mortality trends and risk factor exposure in BiH with the recent data for CVD trends in neighbouring countries and WHO average for the European Region. Results: The analysis showed that more than half of the population in BiH is dying from CVDs, while hypertension, overweight/obesity, lack of physical activity, alcohol and tobacco consumption contribute as main risk factors. CVD mortality and risk factor exposure are above the average of neighbouring countries and the WHO average for the European region. Conclusion: Emerging trends in morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular diseases are one of the major public health challenges in BiH. Preventive oriented health services, mainly at primary health care, should be supported by health promotion interventions directed towards whole population and groups under risk.