ESCALATING CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE MORTALITY IN GHANA: TRENDS, RISK FACTORS, AND POLICY IMPERATIVES
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Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) have emerged as the leading cause of mortality in Ghana, reflecting a broader epidemiological transition from communicable to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in low- and middle-income countries. This research paper presents a comprehensive analysis of CVD mortality trends in Ghana from 2004 to 2022, explores the principal risk factors contributing to this burden, and evaluates the effectiveness of current and proposed policy interventions. Drawing on data from the World Health Organization (WHO), PubMed-indexed studies, and national health statistics, we demonstrate a dramatic rise in CVD mortality rates, with deaths per 100,000 population increasing fivefold over the study period. The analysis identifies hypertension, diabetes, physical inactivity, and obesity as the predominant modifiable risk factors. We further discuss the socioeconomic and geographic disparities exacerbating the CVD burden, particularly among the poorest quintiles and in the Upper East Region. The paper concludes with evidence-based policy recommendations, emphasizing the urgent need for integrated prevention, early detection, and health system strengthening to reverse the alarming trajectory of CVD mortality in Ghana.
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Devashree Shukla
NYU School of Global Public Health