Conclusion highlights: Challenge and opportunities in CVD epidemiology research and education

Recently recognized social and media-related cardiovascular (CVD) risk factors are currently changing the traditional thinking/approach upon interventions previously focused entirely at the “individual level” modifying CVD risk factors. This short presentation reviews the framework of implementation research based on contextual thinking, for reducing the rates of inadequately addressed or unrecognized CVD. Challenges in current CVD epidemiological and public health research and clinical practice including fragmentation of efforts due to competing priorities artificially established within specific health-related conditions, lack of clear leadership, insufficient health workforce capacity and/or health infrastructure focused on health surveillance systems are highlighted. Last, opportunities for innovative change are discussed. Focus is given to the use of multidisciplinary research training programs for a unified approach to translational and implementation of CVD research, and use of electronic medical records systems for improving research data collection while simultaneously tracking and evaluating quality of care and the effectiveness of clinically-based epidemiological interventions.