Economics of cardiovascular prevention in the Russian Federation

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading threat to the population health in the Russian Federation (RF), ranking first in the mortality structure. Demonstration of the economic impact of CVD is a rationale for investing in prevention and treatment. The economic damage caused by CVD in 2016 in the RF amounted to RUB 2,7 trillion, which is equivalent to 3,2% of gross domestic product (GDP). In the structure of damage by diseases, coronary artery disease occupies a leading position — RUB 1 trillion or 1,3% of GDP, while cerebrovascular diseases, stroke and myocardial infarction — RUB 560, 424 and 213,2 billion, respectively. Evaluation of cardiovascular prevention measures is not an easy task because the effect develops over a significant period of time. At the same time, various processes can affect the effect. The RF analysis showed that the potential economic effect from anti-tobacco and anti-alcohol measures, reducing salt consumption and increasing physical activity will be RUB 8,1 trillion in labor productivity increase over 15 years (equivalent to 7,8% of GDP in 2018), with most of the effect from the prevention of CVD deaths. Analyzing the economic impact of CVDs, preventive and curative measures provide a rationale for investment and is an important step in making informed decisions.