The Victoria Declaration--a unifying force.

The Victoria Declaration, the policy document which resulted from the First International Heart Health Conference--'Bridging the Gap: Science and Policy in Action'--is an historic document. Advances in cardiovascular disease prevention, intervention and research as well as in heart health promotion have been frequent and significant. At the same time, a lack of appreciation of the need for a coordinated effort between clinicians, researchers, epidemiologists, community health professionals and others in the health field has meant that we have not been able to capitalize on the opportunity for greater success. The Victoria Declaration highlights the fact that a comprehensive approach to cardiovascular disease prevention needs to expand partnerships well beyond the health sector into many areas of policy development both within and outside government and in the private and voluntary sector, among others. The key message of the declaration is that our best effort will be a unified, systematic effort that marries the preventive, clinical and research approaches with those of policy makers, governments, private sector and others. It is imperative that health professionals recognize this. The declaration outlines a comprehensive framework for cardiovascular disease prevention, advocating a public health approach, targeted towards the population at large and focusing on the reduction of the major risk factors. It suggests a number of key strategies and advocates a research agenda. The declaration is a document that has international scope and recognizes that global partnerships are necessary to assist developing countries (that are now experiencing increasing rates of cardiovascular disease) in the fight against this disease.