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Polypill-based therapy likely to reduce ethnic inequities in use of cardiovascular preventive medica

New Zealand research has demonstrated that a cardiovascular polypill can improve adherence to medicines proven to improve survival. Medicines are only effective if we take them although in New Zealand only a fraction of people that have suffered a cardiovascular event (heart attack or stroke) take the medicines proven to make them live longer. This study compared maori and non-maori patients in an effort to determine if a polypill can reduce gaps between the two groups.

Prior to study enrollment, the use of all recommended cardiovascular preventative medications (antiplatelet, statin and two antihypertensives) was 36% among Māori and 51% among non-Māori participants.

At 12 months, polypill-based care was associated with a significant increase in the use of recommended medications among both Māori and non-Māori compared with usual care.

Analysis showed that the polypill improvement was similar across both maori and non-maori.

New Zealand has a unique population mix and significant disparities in healthcare occur between ethnicities.

The cardiovascular polypill offers a means in which to address these disparities and improve the cardiovascular health of New Zealanders.

For more information please visit the Māori Health Review or Sage Journals.

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