THE HEART HEALTHY HOODS PROJECT: A multifaceted approach to cardiovascular diseases in European Cities
Cardiovascular (CV) diseases are the first cause of death in the EU. Given the treatment costs and the high prevalence of risk factors (smoking, physical inactivity, diabetes and hypertension), they account for the largest social and economic burden amongst all diseases. ERC grantee Manuel Franco proposes to measure the food, physical activity, alcohol and tobacco environments of hundreds of neighbourhoods in Madrid, a city with similar historical and demographic profile as many other European cities, and to correlate the results with cardiovascular primary care health records.
A pilot study has already measured the characteristics of the urban areas; the Heart Healthy Hoods project will be able to assess factors such as the location and accessibility of fast food restaurants or green spaces in relation to cardiovascular risk. By combining a rigorous epidemiological design with a social science perspective, the research team hopes to offer a complete portrait of the CV health of a sample of around 3.5 million inhabitants and to also compare it with the situation in the US.
Social and Physical Urban Environment and Cardiovascular Health: The Much Needed Population Approach
HHH project video presentation: all about our work.
Featured news
HHH Food research and policy translation presented in Brussels at the conference on Sciencce and Policy
This coming Monday 16th, Manuel Franco (HHH PI) will attend the European Commission Conference 'Harnessing Research & Innovation for FOOD 2030: A Science Policy Dialogue' The conference will show the Photovoice Participatory Project exhibit. Manuel Franco will present...
Cohort recruitment start!
We have started the recruitment of the participants in the Heart Healthy Hoods Cohort study. More than 2500 Madrid citizens from 40 to 75 years old will participate in our study to understand the role of the social and physical environment in tobacco, alcohol,...