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Program in Cardiovascular Health Metrics

Advancing cardiovascular health through innovative research, global collaboration, and actionable insights for healthier communities worldwide

Photo by liderina, Adobe Stock.

9 million deaths were caused by ischemic heart disease in 2021, making it the leading cause of death globally.
29% of all deaths globally were caused by cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in 2021.
60 million cases of CVD occurred in those aged 15-39 years in 2021.
12% more CVD deaths occurred in men compared to women in 2021.

About the program

The Program in Cardiovascular Health Metrics (PCHM) at the University of Washington (UW) is dedicated to improving heart and vascular health and health care around the world. We represent an innovative collaboration between the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) and the UW Medicine Division of Cardiology. Our program develops methods and analyzes data to help people make better decisions. We work with a broad range of organizations to:

  • Produce global and national estimates for CVDs and related risk factors using robust analytic strategies, collecting and harmonizing data sources, and building new collaborations.  
  • Broaden the evidence base for population health and health disparities by measuring disease burden and the impact of interventions.
  • Collaborate with strategic partners to advance research and education in the field of cardiovascular health.

The PCHM is dedicated to the growth and development of early career researchers and data professionals by offering training and mentorship opportunities including postdoctoral and clinical research fellowships.  

Research cores

The PCHM focuses on pivotal areas of research, each designed to address different facets of cardiovascular health outcomes:

  • Global burden of disease: We produce comprehensive estimates of CVD's impact on populations worldwide to offer valuable insights that can guide the development of public health policies and interventions.
  • Disparities in cardiovascular health outcomes: We identify the unequal trends in CVD outcomes experienced by different racial and ethnic groups in the US and other countries.
  • Registry and outcomes science: We examine data from health registries to identify effective practices in cardiovascular care and translate findings into actionable insights to enhance patient care.
  • Interventions and scenarios: We investigate the potential impact of various health programs, interventions, and simulated scenarios on CVD outcomes to predict the effects on reducing CVD burden in a future, healthier world.  

Partnership and collaboration

The PCHM partners with collaborators around the world who share our vision of advancing cardiovascular health. We welcome partnerships with the potential to advance collective progress toward improving health policy and practice. 

Contact us

To explore how your institution can partner with IHME, please contact [email protected] for more information.

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