Project Globe Pilot Countries
Venezuela
In Venezuela 30% of all deaths are from cardiovascular disease, 32% of deaths in the elderly population. This is the leading cause of death.
Although the country generates a high income from natural resources, many of its people are poor and have migrated from the country to live in large barrios adjacent to major cities like Caracas. The health care system is challenged to provide this population with quality health care.
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death. Over 90% of the adult population of Venezuela has at least one risk factor of cardiovascular disease such as smoking or high blood pressure. There is a lack of public awareness of the risk factors and how to control them.
There are 48,000 physicians in Venezuela, most of whom, have limited opportunities to update their skills and knowledge through continuing professional development. These 48,000 are responsible for the care of 26,749,000 people or roughly 500 patients per doctor.
Medical educators believe that continuing professional development for primary care physicians is one of most effective tools available to positively impact the state of population health in Venezuela and countries like it. By demonstrating the link between continuing professional development and a higher level of patient care, the first important step will be taken in building government support and for expansion of continuing professional development.
PROJECT GLOBE’s focus is on providing high quality continuing professional development for a range of chronic illnesses that contribute to individual country death and disability rates thereby reducing them and ending needless suffering.