Cardiovascular disease is responsible for an estimated 18.6 million deaths every year and remains the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Raised cholesterol is widely recognized as a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. According to the Global Burden of Disease Study, approximately 4.4 million deaths were attributable to elevated LDL cholesterol in 2019.
On 14 October 2022, the World Heart Federation launched its updated Roadmap for Cholesterol to present the latest evidence, identify roadblocks, and suggest potential solutions to improving the prevention and management of raised cholesterol as well as atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. In particular, the roadmap highlights that only 5-10% of the 28 million individuals living with familial hypercholesterolemia, a genetic condition responsible for elevated LDL cholesterol, are diagnosed and adequately treated.
To support WHF Members in advocating for cholesterol control and better cardiovascular health, WHF is releasing an updated version of its Cholesterol Advocacy Toolkit. The toolkit includes the latest information drawn from the WHF Roadmap for Cholesterol as well as practical tools to support cholesterol advocacy efforts at the local and regional levels. The toolkit can assist individuals and organizations in a variety of ways – from developing a cholesterol advocacy strategy to forming advocacy partnerships, reaching out to the media, and/or scheduling meetings with key local and national decision-makers.
Please read our WHF Cholesterol Advocacy Toolkit 2022 for more information.
