During the 79th World Health Assembly (WHA79) in Geneva, the World Heart Federation hosted a series of side events focused on tackling the global burden of cardiovascular disease.
Cardiovascular disease remains the world’s leading cause of death, claiming more than 20 million lives each year, disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income countries. Through these sessions, policymakers, clinicians, researchers, advocates, and partners explored practical solutions to strengthen prevention, improve care delivery, and advance equitable cardiovascular health worldwide.
📍 Held: 18–19 May 2026
📍 Location: École Hôtelière de Genève – Restaurant Vieux Bois
Watch the event recordings and explore key discussions below.
Addressing obesity to reduce the global burden of cardiovascular disease
18 May 2026 7:30-9:30
This side event aims to underscore the urgent need to better integrate obesity within cardiovascular health strategies as part of broader efforts to prevent and manage cardiovascular disease. It will provide a timely platform to explore practical, system-wide approaches to prevention, risk management, and policy action. By fostering collaboration between policymakers, clinicians, public health experts, and key stakeholders, we aim to catalyse sustained action to address obesity and improve cardiovascular health outcomes worldwide.
Closing the gap in cardiovascular health: Delivering prevention through national plans, primary care, and integrated action
18 May 2026 12:00-14:30
This side event aims to underscore the urgent need to strengthen primary health care as the foundation for preventing and managing cardiovascular disease and related noncommunicable diseases. It will provide a timely platform to explore practical approaches for improving screening and early detection, advancing integrated service delivery, and supporting implementation through national cardiovascular health plans. By fostering collaboration between policymakers, clinicians, public health experts, and key stakeholders, we aim to catalyse sustained action to build more effective, equitable, and resilient health systems worldwide.
Women and cardiovascular disease: closing the research, awareness, and care gap
19 May 2026 12:00-14:30
This side event aims to highlight the urgent need to close the gender gap in cardiovascular health by addressing the persistent inequalities women face in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cardiovascular disease. It will provide a timely platform to explore practical approaches for strengthening research on women and CVD, increasing female representation in clinical trials, and advancing the use of sex-disaggregated data to better understand sex-specific risk factors and outcomes. By bringing together policymakers, clinicians, researchers, and advocates, we aim to catalyse coordinated action to raise awareness, tackle gender biases in care, and promote equitable access to quality cardiovascular services for women across the life course.
