The World Heart Federation is the principal representative body of the global cardiovascular community and works on its behalf to influence policies and create a world where people everywhere have access to the tools they need to live long, heart-healthy lives.
Global Advocacy
The World Heart Federation advocates on behalf of the cardiovascular community to bring CVD to the forefront of the global health agenda. In addition to supporting the capacity of our Members to advocate domestically, WHF is deeply engaged in policy advocacy at the international level, informing and influencing decision-makers in support of evidence-based policy change and implementation. Strategically located in Geneva, Switzerland, we work closely with the World Health Organization, NCD Alliance, and other international organizations to shape strong health policies and help find cost-effective solutions to reduce the global burden of CVD.
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World Heart Summit
Since 2016, World Heart Federation has been convening leaders and innovators in cardiovascular health at its annual World Heart Summit (previously the Global Summit on Circulatory Health). The Summit is an invitation-only event which brings together key leaders and innovators in government, business, civil society and academia to exchange knowledge, discover the latest innovations, and make surprise connections as we work together to elevate cardiovascular disease to the top of the global health agenda.
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Global Coalition for Circulatory Health
The Global Coalition for Circulatory Health was launched in 2017 at the WHO Global Conference on Noncommunicable Diseases in Montevideo, Uruguay. It brings together international, regional and national stakeholders in circulatory health to drive the urgent action needed to combat heart disease and stroke. The Global Coalition is open to any professional global, regional, and national civil society organization with a role in circulatory health.
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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
Shot of a medical practitioner using a digital tablet in a hospital ward
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
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
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WHF Roundtables
Our Roundtables provide a national forum for stakeholders in cardiovascular health to identify barriers to and solutions for secondary and primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases and then develop national plans of action to be implemented in partnership with governments and policymakers, healthcare professionals, academic and research institutions, NGOs, health advocates, and corporate entities.
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Call to Action on Addressing the Global Burden of Pediatric and Congenital Heart Diseases
On 27 August 2023, the global pediatric and adult congenital cardiac community will gather in Washington, D.C., at the 8th World Congress of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery. Ahead of this meeting, the community has issued an urgent call to action for all governments, all health and development agencies, and the world research and academic […]
Addressing the health impacts of air pollution at #WHA76
This is a statement led by the World Heart Federation at the 76th World Health Assembly on Agenda Item 16.3 Social determinants of health. We applaud Member States for their recognition of pollution as a health risk factor and for seeking to take decisive action through this proposed resolution. Unfortunately, recognition of fossil fuels among […]
Air Pollution
Strengthening rehabilitation in health systems at #WHA76
This is a statement led by the World Heart Federation at the 76th World Health Assembly on Agenda Item 13.4: Strengthening rehabilitation in health systems. Honourable Chair, Distinguished Delegates, We applaud the Secretariat for its report and leadership in strengthening rehabilitation services for people living with NCDs, CVD, and post-COVID conditions. Cardiac rehabilitation encompasses a […]
Welcoming the updated WHO Best Buys at #WHA76
This is a statement led by the NCD Alliance at the 76th World Health Assembly on Agenda item 13.2 Political declaration of the third high-level meeting of the General Assembly on the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases, and mental health. Distinguished delegates, We welcome the updated Appendix 3 of the Global NCD Action Plan, […]
