Breaking Barriers: Addressing Social Determinants to Reduce Cardiovascular Disease Risk

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death worldwide, disproportionately affecting individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. While clinical interventions and pharmacological treatments play a vital role in prevention, there is growing recognition that social determinants of health (SDoH)—such as socioeconomic status, education, housing, food security, and healthcare access—profoundly influence cardiovascular outcomes. Yet, these critical factors are often overlooked in traditional healthcare models. To bridge this gap, this project will develop a multi-modal intervention that integrates social, behavioral, and healthcare system strategies to address social determinants of cardiovascular health. Using co-design and consumer-driven research methods, this research will directly engage at-risk communities, healthcare providers, and policymakers to create an innovative, scalable solution that reduces inequities in cardiovascular disease prevention and management. Project Phases: The student will be part of the Big Data, Epidemiology, and Prevention Division within the Stroke and Ageing Research (STAR) group at the Victorian Heart Hospital (Monash University), working on the following: Phase 1: Conduct a systematic review of existing interventions addressing SDoH in cardiovascular disease prevention and management. Phase 2: Engage key stakeholders—including patients, community organizations, and healthcare providers—in a co-design process to develop a prototype intervention tailored to addressing social barriers to heart health. Phase 3: Pilot-test the intervention to assess its feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness in improving cardiovascular outcomes among at-risk populations. What the Student Will Gain: With strong mentorship and interdisciplinary collaboration, the student will independently lead this high-impact research program while developing expertise in: ✅ Co-design & Consumer-Oriented Research – Engaging diverse communities to develop a patient-centered intervention. ✅ Health Equity & Implementation Science – Designing and evaluating interventions that address systemic health disparities. ✅ Big Data & Epidemiology – Utilising large-scale health and social datasets to quantify the impact of SDoH on cardiovascular disease. ✅ Scientific Communication & Policy Translation – Publishing research in high-impact journals and informing public health strategies. Research Training & Impact: Each phase will involve securing ethics approval (as required), refining research protocols with iterative feedback, collecting and analysing data, and disseminating findings through high-impact publications. Upon successful completion of annual milestone reviews, the student will submit a PhD thesis by publication. This project offers a unique opportunity to drive transformative change by addressing the root causes of cardiovascular disease and developing equitable, real-world solutions that improve heart health for vulnerable populations.