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Empowering the next generation of leaders to shape the future of cardiovascular health.
The Salim Yusuf Emerging Leaders Programme was created in 2014 by WHF Past President Professor Salim Yusuf, with the long-term goal of developing a diverse team of experts who collaborate, research, and act to reduce premature mortality from cardiovascular disease globally.
This WHF initiative is among the first international training programmes on cardiovascular health policy research, health systems and implementation science, and aims to build up capacity through professional development, mentorship and provision of networking opportunities for the selected candidates.
Each year, through a competitive process, 25 Emerging Leaders are selected. These are outstanding individuals who have demonstrated long-term promise through their early careers, and creativity and passion for improving cardiovascular health and preventing CVD. By participating in the Programme, these individuals will develop expertise in:
- Monitoring and evaluating health systems
- Identifying barriers and facilitators for implementation of evidence-based prevention and treatments for CVD
- Developing evidence-based policy research
- Influencing critical stakeholders including policymakers, legislators and media
WHF and its Members believe in a world where heart health for everyone is a fundamental human right, and the Emerging Leaders Programme plays an important part in realising this vision. Focusing on a different priority area each year, the objective of the training module is to help reduce the global burden of cardiovascular disease in line with UN Sustainable Development Goal 3.4.
Our 150 strong expert community has so far tackled a range of issues, including secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases, raised blood pressure, tobacco prevention and control, access to essential medicines, stroke and heart failure.
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Latest News
Strengthening Women’s Leadership and Representation in Health Systems
This statement was delivered by Ms. Fernanda de Carvalho, our Advocacy Committee member for PAHO, at the Seventy-Seventh Session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Americas PAHO GENDER EQUALITY POLICY: PROGRESS REPORT AGENDA ITEM 7.8B Honourable Chair, Distinguished Delegates, The World Heart Federation welcomes the Progress Report on PAHO’s Gender Equality Policy. We […]
World Heart Grants 2025 winners announced
We are thrilled to announce the 10 WHF Member organisations selected to receive World Heart Grants of up to CHF 2,000 for World Heart Day 2025 activations, including media campaigns, fundraising events, awareness initiatives, concerts, sporting activities, and marathon runs. Congratulations to all the grantees! World Heart Grants 2025 – Winners Brazilian Society of Cardiology (Brazil) […]
From Commitment to Implementation: Accelerating Cardiovascular Action in the Americas Beyond the UN HLM
This statement was delivered by Ms. Fernanda de Carvalho, our Advocacy Committee member for PAHO, at the Seventy-Seventh Session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Americas. PLAN OF ACTION ON NONCOMMUNICABLE DISEASE PREVENTION AND CONTROL 2025-2030 AGENDA ITEM 4.5 Honourable Chair, Distinguished Delegates, The World Heart Federation welcomes the regional Plan of […]
WHF Comment: Outcome of the UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs and Mental Health in New York
It is truly regretful that a couple of governments did not join the majority who chose to endorse the UN’s Political Declaration on Non-Communicable Diseases and Mental Health, particularly on critical issues like gender and taxation, which is one of the most effective measures to curb NCDs. At the same time, we are encouraged by […]
