The King’s Fund publish: Shifting to prevention

The King’s Fund have published an article on “Shifting to prevention: how integrated care systems can tackle cardiovasular disease” highlighting the critical role of prevention in improving population health and reducing premature deaths from cardiovascular disease (CVD).

The King’s Fund calls on Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) to take a whole-system approach, working across the NHS, public health, and local government to address key risk factors such as smoking and obesity. It also emphasises the importance of early identification and proactive management in primary care, supported by integrated care boards.

For healthcare scientists, this underlines the importance of:

• Harnessing data and diagnostic innovations to identify at-risk individuals earlier.

• Supporting system-wide prevention strategies through evidence-based practice and clinical leadership.

• Working across professional boundaries to embed prevention into everyday care pathways.

The report also notes that while initiatives like the government’s “prevention accelerators” are welcome, more consistent, universal adoption of proven approaches is needed, alongside national leadership, accountability, and investment.

As the King’s Fund concludes, bold national action is required to complement local system efforts, creating the urgency and conditions needed for meaningful, sustained change.

Read the full piece below.

Source: How Integrated Care Systems Can Prevent Cardiovascular Disease | The King’s Fund