Bridging the global divide: Strengthening translational autophagy research in cardiovascular disease for low and middle-income countries

Abstract

[first paragraph of article]

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally [1]. However, this impact is more pronounced in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where population aging has been more rapid than that in high-income countries [1], and unhealthy lifestyles have contributed to a higher incidence of pathological health phenotypes in older adults. As a result, the rising trend in morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular, metabolic, and cerebrovascular diseases is expected to continue [1]. In this context, it has been proposed that understanding biological variables, supported by the use of omics technologies, could drive precision medicine and provide valuable insights for translation into public policies, scientific advancements, and evidence-based decision-making. However, achieving this requires significant progress in translational research on cardiovascular diseases within LMICs [2].