The Hidden Burden of Acute Coronary Syndrome in Tanzania

JULIAN HERTZ, MD, MS-GH
Assistant Professor, Division of Emergency Medicine

About the lecture
This presentation summarizes the results of several research studies Hertz has conducted in northern Tanzania in collaboration with a number of DGHI faculty. Topics discussed will include patient- and provider-related barriers to acute coronary syndrome (ACS) diagnosis and care, as well as the true burden of ACS in Tanzania. ACS is the leading cause of death worldwide but is thought to be a rare clinical diagnosis in sub-Saharan Africa. We found that most adults in Tanzania did not know the symptoms of ACS and would not present to a hospital for such symptoms. We further found that emergency providers rarely initiated full diagnostic workups for ACS among patients presenting with symptoms suggestive of ACS, resulting in a very low rate of ACS diagnoses. Finally, we found that the true burden of ACS among emergency department patients was remarkably high. Taken together, these findings emphasize the need for interventions to improve ACS diagnosis and care at the patient, physician, and health system level in Tanzania.

Lunch will be provided. This event is part of Think Global, a weekly lecture series at the Duke Global Health Institute. It is free and open to the public. Paid parking for Trent Hall is available in the Duke Medicine Circle Parking Garage, located at 302 Trent Drive.