ROLE OF GOVERNMENT IN CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH

Despite some major advances, cardiovascular disease remains the leadin g cause of death globally and here in Canada. Support of research in t his area has always been a key thrust of the Medical Research Council' s (MRC) efforts and remains so today. Public knowledge about the cause s of heart disease and its prevention remains low, requiring implement ation of a comprehensive, multifaceted approach to the reduction of di sease risk. Some reform of the health care system is coming, and it is vital that it be done properly in order to improve efficiency and con trol costs while not doing harm. This reform should be based on a soli d foundation of research-based findings. Dramatic changes in sources o f research funding, with government providing less and the private sec tor increasing more, are bound to have an impact on the kinds and loca tion of research activities carried out in Canada in the future. Acade mia must increasingly seek support from the private sector to maintain and strengthen academic research. Partnerships and alliances, such as those being pursued by the MRC, offer enormous opportunities for the development of new technologies and products with resulting benefits t o the health and wealth of Canadians.