Economic and Health Assessment of the Draft Healthy Heart Act.

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in Germany and, according to the Robert Koch Institute, account for around 40 percent of all deaths. In order to reduce the number of cases, the Federal Ministry of Health is planning the “Healthy Heart Act.” In particular, the more frequent prescription of cholesterol-lowering medication, statins, for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases is being discussed.

Professor Dr. Dr. Afschin Gandjour, Professor of Health Management at Frankfurt School, has examined the economic and health potential of the use of statins. His calculations show that around 5 million people in Germany are already taking statins, and millions more would be eligible. If this potential were fully utilised, thousands of heart attacks and strokes could be prevented each year, and billions of euros could be saved annually for the statutory health insurance funds.

During our online journalists’ roundtable on 11 July 2024, Professor Afschin Gandjour explained the economic and public health significance of a broader use of statins in the population.