APAC CVD Alliance and Deloitte Launch White Paper on Heart Failure

The Asia Pacific Cardiovascular Disease Alliance (APAC CVD Alliance) and Deloitte have released a pivotal white paper addressing the increasing burden of heart failure (HF) in the Asia-Pacific region. Titled “Improving Heart Failure Policy and Management in Asia Pacific: Opportunities for Impact,” the report outlines urgent needs for targeted policy interventions across eight key territories, including Australia, Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.

The findings reveal alarming gaps in several areas, such as policy visibility, access to diagnostics and therapies, healthcare infrastructure, and public awareness. Currently, close to 32 million people in the region live with heart failure, a figure expected to rise significantly in the coming years. The report warns that without coordinated actions, the repercussions on patients, health systems, and economies will be severe.

Dr. Krishna Reddy, a cardiologist and representative of the APAC CVD Alliance, emphasized the urgency of the situation: “Heart failure is silently claiming lives across Asia-Pacific, yet it remains hidden in policy shadows. This white paper lays out the evidence and concrete steps for action. The time for fragmented approaches is over.”

The report does not only address clinical challenges but also highlights the profound human impact of heart failure. Patients often experience a loss of independence, high rates of depression and anxiety, and a heavy reliance on caregivers who frequently lack adequate support. Economically, heart failure poses a significant threat, consuming over 10% of national health expenditure in some middle-income countries while contributing to productivity losses.

To combat the rising burden of heart failure, the white paper presents actionable recommendations aimed at reducing hospitalizations related to HF by 20% and improving patient survival rates by 15% within five years. These goals will depend on local contexts and sustained commitment, advocating for a phased approach that pilots reforms in mature health systems before scaling to emerging ones.

Kavita Rekhraj, Deloitte’s Asia Pacific and Southeast Asia Life Sciences & Health Care Leader, remarked, “By combining data-driven insights with pragmatic policy recommendations, this report offers a blueprint for change, giving governments and healthcare leaders a practical pathway to reduce hospitalizations, improve survival, and deliver better quality of life across Asia-Pacific.”

As the world recognized World Heart Day on September 29, the APAC CVD Alliance and Deloitte encourage governments, healthcare providers, and industry partners to transition from awareness to action. Prioritizing heart failure is essential for saving lives, reducing costs, and building resilient, equitable health systems for the future.

The white paper reviews heart failure policy and care across the eight targeted territories and outlines evidence-driven, regionally relevant policy recommendations informed by multi-territory assessments, stakeholder consultations, and best practice reviews. Supported by Roche Diagnostics, this initiative reflects the independent work of the APAC CVD Alliance and Deloitte, with opinions expressed not representing the sponsor or affiliated organizations.

The APAC CVD Alliance is a coalition committed to transforming cardiovascular health in the region by fostering collaboration, innovative care models, and necessary policy reforms. The alliance receives support from organizations such as Amgen, Novartis, and Roche Diagnostics.