Task force on Research in Epidemiology and Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases.

O ver the past two decades, the United States has witnessed noteworthy increases in life expect- ancy and major decreases in the death toll attributed to cardiovascular diseases (CVD).Age- adjusted death rates from coronary heart disease (CHD) are now half what they were 20 years ago, and death rates from stroke have declined even more sharply.It is well recognized that research in epidemiology and prevention of CVD has made major contri- butions to these favorable trends.Nonetheless, the public health and economic burden of CVD is still considerable, and much remains to be discovered if we are to achieve effective disease control and prevention.To identify new opportunities and chart a course for future research efforts, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) in 1992 convened a Task Force on Research in Epidemiology and Preven- tion of Cardiovascular Diseases.Composed of national experts, the task force was charged to review the state of knowledge in epidemiology and prevention of CVD over the past 5 years and develop a comprehensive plan, including scientific priorities, for NHLBI support of research in this area over the next several years.During a series of meetings that spanned nearly 2 years, the task force members worked to develop a detailed report of its findings and conclusions.