Project

In 2014-17, a large cross-sectional study of CVD was conducted as The International Project on Cardiovascular Disease in Russia (IPCDR) with population samples from Arkhangelsk and Novosibirsk. The IPCDR and the Tromsø Study 7 (2015-16) are based on similar protocols, and this has laid basis for Heart to Heart - a joint plan to compare, identify and quantify differences in CVD and its determinants in forming the huge difference in CVD mortality between Russia and Norway.

The Heart to Heart platform makes a solid basis for training public health specialists on both sides of the border with emphasis on CVD epidemiology and it also addresses a much need focus within Russia on its most serious health problem.

Heart to Heart rests on UiT-NSMU (Northern State Medical University, Arkhangelsk) collaboration such as the Master program in public health at ISPHA (International School of Public Health in Arkhangelsk) and ArkTroPP (Arkhangelsk Tromsø PhD Program) with PhD students taken up at UiT and working at NSMU.

The project covers Master and PhD levels and are grounded on Heart to Heart. NSMU and UiT have already each provided salary for two PhD students. The project covers funding for these, other students recruited through this funding, teachers, supervisors and staff to work together in terms of training.