WHA 2025 Side Events

As the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA78) convenes in Geneva, the World Heart Federation is hosting a series of events to address the global burden of cardiovascular disease and build momentum ahead of the 4th United Nations High-Level Meeting on NCDs and Mental Health.

Cardiovascular disease remains the world’s leading cause of death, claiming over 20 million lives every year, most in low- and middle-income countries. Despite proven prevention and treatment strategies, barriers like insufficient funding and policy gaps persist. Our sessions will explore bold solutions to close these gaps, from strengthening national action plans to expanding access to life-saving treatments.

???? When: 19–20 May
???? Where: École Hôtelière de Genève – Restaurant Vieux Bois

Advancing Cardiovascular Health for All through National Action Plans

19 May 2025 11:45 – 14:30

This side event therefore aims to underscore the critical need for dedicated CV health action plans as strategic frameworks to guide national efforts in preventing and managing cardiovascular disease. It will also provide a timely platform to introduce WHF’s Framework, offering countries a practical and adaptable guide to develop and scale up effective national CV health action plans. By fostering collaboration between policymakers, public health experts, and key stakeholders, we aim to catalyze sustained, long-term action to prioritize cardiovascular health and strengthen national health systems worldwide.

Watch on YouTube

A photo of a packet of pills being passed between two people

Protecting One Billion Hearts: Partnering to accelerate access to heart-saving medicines

19 May 2025 17:45 – 20:30

Limited access to affordable and quality-assured hypertension medicines remains a significant barrier to reducing cardiovascular disease (CVD) burden worldwide. Many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) face challenges related to supply chain inefficiencies, high medication costs and inadequate integration of hypertension treatment within universal health coverage (UHC) frameworks. This side event, co-organized by WHF and RTSL, will bring together policymakers, healthcare providers and global health experts to discuss the critical role of hypertension medicines in reducing CVD mortality and the systemic barriers that hinder their availability. The event will highlight country experiences, policy interventions and innovative financing mechanisms to improve equitable access to hypertension medicines globally.

Watch on YouTube

Better Adherence, Better Control, Better Health

20 May 2025 7:30 – 9:30

Despite the availability of effective treatments, poor adherence to therapies remains a major barrier in managing cardiometabolic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes. Our side event will convene global experts, policymakers, healthcare professionals, and people with lived experience to highlight the critical role of adherence in improving health outcomes and promote concerted action.

Join us to explore innovative evidence-based strategies – including the use of single-pill combinations (SPCs) – that can improve adherence and advance health equity. Let’s move together toward better adherence, better control, and better health – for all!

Watch on YouTube

A woman smilng with her hands up in the air

Healthy hearts for healthy aging – Approaches to cardiovascular disease prevention across the life course

20 May 2025 11:45 – 14:00

As global demographics shift, the need to promote cardiovascular health across the life course has never been more urgent. Cardiovascular disease remains the world’s leading cause of death, with a growing toll on aging societies, healthcare systems, and economies. Our high-level side event will convene Ministers of Health, global experts, and advocates to explore policy solutions, showcase successful models, and emphasize the importance of lifelong heart health in advancing healthy aging.

Join us to align priorities ahead of the Fourth UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs!

Watch on YouTube