Can we reduce heart attacks by improving prevention programs?

Professor Seana Gall, University of Tasmania

Future Leader Fellowship - Level 3

Years funded: 2025 - 2028

It is often cited that at least 80% of cardiovascular events could be prevented because cardiovascular diseases are caused by known, modifiable risk factors. Although we know this theoretically, there has been a lack of translation into action to improve the prevention of these diseases. Over my career, my research has explored cardiovascular risk factors and events over the life course building a knowledge base on what causes diseases to develop and what influences outcomes after these diseases occur. Through this fellowship, I will advance this knowledge base by conducting observational and interventional epidemiological studies to understand how we can enhance the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. The projects include:

• Two fully-funded randomised controlled trials exploring digital health interventions to reduce risk factors for cardiovascular disease among people in the community

• Use of co-design to better target delivery of primary care among people with stroke to reduce recurrent cardiovascular disease

• Analyses leveraging the internationally unique Childhood Determinants of Adult Health (CDAH) that has followed several thousand Australians from childhood to mid-adulthood

• Use of data linkage to explore the reasons underlying the high health service use that appears to occur immediately prior to stroke and cardiac events

Collectively, the program of research will provide new evidence on how we can prevent cardiovascular diseases through a greater understanding of the drivers of cardiovascular disease risk across the life course. The delivery of this ambitious program is possible due to my team of 15 academic and professional staff, along with PhD students. My deep connections with health professionals and policy makers locally, nationally and internationally including the Tasmanian and Commonwealth Governments; Stroke Foundation and World Stroke Organization will enable me to promote direct translation of the findings into reducing the impact of these diseases. I am ideally placed to deliver this research program given my role as a leader in cardiovascular research nationally and internationally.