European cardiology 2000–2002

The burden of cardiovascular disease in Europe is distributed unequally, with relatively low mortality in the west, the south and Scandinavia, and much more disease at young age in the eastern countries. The latter situation is largely due to the unfavourable social and economic conditions in eastern Europe, which we cannot alter easily. Yet it is a task for the ESC, for all of us, to try to reduce these inequalities. Therefore, the Board will create a Task Force to identify and implement measures to help our mem- bers in eastern Europe improve the situation in their countries.