Better population health through behavior change in adults: a call to action.

Plain Language Summary

Cardiovascular health is being lost from childhood through young adulthood and the major reasons are adverse health behaviours related to diet, physical activity, healthy weight maintenance, and smoking. This call to action focused mainly on the required behaviour change for adults to improve cardiovascular health. Recent literature demonstrated that the presence of ideal cardiovascular health behaviours and biomarkers is associated with longevity and freedom from cardiovascular and all-cause morbidity and mortality. This call for action outlines that: - Clinicians play a vital role in fostering healthier behaviours. - It is important to connect patients with health-promoting influences in their immediate environment in order to adopt healthier lifestyles. - Practical tools are needed to assess health behaviours – more effective healthcare system and policy improvements. Authors conclude that support for these endeavours needs to be available from all healthcare professionals and systems, particularly because the goal is to promote healthier lifestyles that reduce risk for all chronic disease.