Workshop Outline:
Across many European countries, inequalities in the detection and treatment of Structural Health Disease (SHD), such as geographic and gender inequalities exist. And there is also evidence of widespread ageism. Such inequalities are hampering progress and holding us back. Indeed, across 11 European countries, a study found that SHD occurs more frequently in women than in men, yet women are less likely to to reguarly receive a heart check with a stethoscope by their GP, (24.1% vs 31.3% respectively). Despite this, there is very little policy focus on tackling inequalities in the detection and treatment of SHD. With the Healthier Together EU Initiative on Non-communicable diseases, and the forthcoming EU Joint Action on Cardiovascular disease and Diabetes as part of the EU4Health programme, there is an important opportunity to raise the profile of SHD and reduce its growing burden in an ageing society. In this workshop, we will present the findings and policy recommendations of our publication: _Holding us back? Tackling inequalities in the detection and treatment of structural heart disease in __Europe, _supported by Edwards Lifesciences. Following the presentation, we will then open the floor to the audience (which will be moderated by the Chair) to engage in a meaningful dialogue on the barriers and opportunities to reducing the SHD burden.

Specific Aims/Objectives:
While most types of SHD can be successfully treated, it receives very little policy attention. The key aim of the workshop is to engage with key stakeholders at the forefront of academia, global health policy, and science and medicine, to identify what still needs to happen to reduce inequities in the detection and treatment of SHD across Europe. Our objectives include: 1. Raising the profile and shining a light on the growing burden that SHD places on our society and especially, the heavy toll it places on certain marginalised and underserved populations. 2. Engaging with a diverse group of stakeholders on the barriers and opportunities to reducing inequities in the detection and treatment of SHD and identifying how we can engage world leaders and leading public health policy makers on the importance of tackling SHD in an ageing society. 3. Take the key lessons learned from the workshop to enhance our engagement activities and develop a targeted dissemination plan to ensure we are influencing the right people and engaging in the right conversations.

Key Questions:
1. What are the barriers and opportunities to reducing inequities in the detection and treatment of SHD? 2. What needs to happen to engage world leaders and leading public health policy makers on the importance of tackling SHD in an ageing society? 3. What examples of good practice can you share that you think would help shrink inequalities in the detection and treatment of SHD that should be adopted in other countries? As part of the SHD Coalition, ILC-UK will leverage its expertise to ask the audience the right questions to ensure we are identifying the gaps in our knowledge and understanding and looking for robust solutions.