The World Heart Federation supports the development of policies that have a positive impact on people’s heart health. Our roadmaps, policy briefs and position papers can be adapted to different contexts and are regularly updated based on the latest available evidence.
CVD Roadmaps
Our Roadmaps are designed and developed by international teams of experts who together identify challenges and offer solutions on specific topics impacting cardiovascular mortality. They can serve as models for regions and countries to develop their own Roadmaps and create or update their national non-communicable disease action plans. They offer a framework to bring together stakeholders with the objective of determining, prioritizing and implementing solutions to reduce premature CVD deaths in any context.
Atrial Fibrillation
Chagas Disease
Cholesterol
CVD in People Living with Diabetes
Digital Health in Cardiology
Heart Failure
Hypertension
Rheumatic Heart Disease
Secondary Prevention
Tobacco Control
Learn more
Policy Briefs
Our policy briefs present concise summaries of information that can help readers understand and make informed decisions about policies related to cardiovascular disease, associated risk factors and determinants of health. They provide objective summaries of relevant research, outline existing global policies, suggest possible approaches and argue for courses of action that governments should take when creating or considering policies to foster healthy environments in their country or region.
WHF Policy Brief on Front-of-Pack Labelling
Clean Air, Smart Cities, Healthy Hearts
E-cigarettes: A New Threat for Cardiovascular Health
The Impact of Alcohol Consumption on Cardiovascular Health: Myths and Measures
Position Papers
Our position papers reflect our policy positions on a wide range of CVD-related issues. They are supported by scientific studies published in recognized journals and have a rigorous review and approval process. These papers generally include a review of data available on a specific subject, an evaluation on its relationship to overall cardiovascular disease science, and WHF recommendations on the basis of that evaluation within the context of global public health policy.
The Case for the Digital Transformation of Circulatory Health
Improving Access to Essential Medicines for All People: A Call to Action
Preventing the Next Pandemic: The Case for Investing in Circulatory Health
Latest News
A Milestone for Cardiovascular Health in Europe: The EU Safe Hearts Plan
On 16 December, the European Commission published the EU Safe Hearts Plan, the first comprehensive, EU-wide strategy dedicated to cardiovascular health. The Plan marks a major milestone in the EU’s response to cardiovascular disease, which remains the leading cause of death across the Union, responsible for 1.7 million deaths every year. Momentum around the Safe Hearts Plan has been building in […]
Statement by the World Heart Federation, commenting on the passage of the Fourth United Nations Political Declaration on Noncommunicable Diseases and the Promotion of Mental Health and Well-being
Today’s passage of the Fourth United Nations Political Declaration on Noncommunicable Diseases and the promotion of mental health and well-being marks a watershed moment for international collaboration to tackle the world’s number one killer, cardiovascular disease (CVD). “WHF is buoyed by the encouraging support of major groups and so many Member States in addressing cardiovascular […]
Countdown to EU Cardiovascular Health Plan: Key Stakeholders Gather at EACH Summit
WHF welcomes the first EU Cardiovascular Health Plan Every day in Europe, cardiovascular disease kills 5,000 people, yet it rarely makes the headlines. As Europe’s, and the world’s, leading cause of death, it demands both urgent attention and action. With the upcoming EU Cardiovascular Health Plan, the EU takes a major step to prioritise heart […]
Advancing heart health through strong global policy: reflections from COP11 and COP30
In 2025, the World Heart Federation continued its advocacy at the forefront of global health by addressing the intersecting threats of tobacco, environmental degradation, and climate change, which together pose a growing burden on cardiovascular health worldwide. These issues are closely connected: the tobacco industry contributes to deforestation, soil degradation, and greenhouse gas emissions, while cigarette filters […]
