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A group of Hearts to Hearts advocates stood in a park

Hearts to Hearts – Raising Awareness of RHD in Eldoret

14 June, 2017

Dilys Kemunto is a medical student at Moi University and a member of the Young Professionals Chronic Disease Network (YP-CDN) in Eldoret, a city in Uasin Gishu county in Western Kenya. She and a group of her fellow students have recently created a programme to raise awareness around rheumatic heart disease locally and to support […]

World Health Organization HQ Geneva

70th World Health Assembly: Round-up of Key Decisions

12 June, 2017

From 22-31 May, the World Heart Federation participated in the 70th World Health Assembly, held in Geneva, Switzerland. In addition to attending policy discussions, the WHF co-sponsored two side events, which were among the 26 NCD-themed meetings taking place alongside the Assembly. From a packed agenda spanning 10 days and featuring discussions on a wide […]

Copy of a letter from the World Health Organization for Rheumatic Heart Disease resolution

Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease Resolution Recommended by WHO Executive Board

12 June, 2017

On 01 June 2017, the Executive Board of the World Health Organization recommended a Resolution on ‘Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease’ for adoption at the 71st World Health Assembly in 2018. Once adopted by the full World Health Assembly after further discussions in May next year, the Resolution will represent the first global commitment […]

Early Action: Global Diabetes Policy Forum Summary Report

Early Action in Diabetes

7 June, 2017

Early Action aims to radically transform the world’s approach to Type 2 diabetes. This multi-year initiative is committed to translating evidence into practical policies for strengthening prevention, early detection, early control and early access to the right interventions. The Early Action journey began in 2015 and has since spread to more than 35 countries […]

Joint statement by WHF and NCD Alliance on UN HLM in 2018

1 June, 2017

In a statement to the World Health Assembly on Monday 29 May, the World Heart Federation and NCD Alliance called on Member States to make the third UN High-Level Meeting on non-communicable diseases (HLM 2018) a strategic priority. The meeting will be held next year in New York City. Describing NCDs as the ‘social […]

Tobacco: a threat to development

1 June, 2017

The World Health Organization hosted a side event at the World Health Assembly on the occasion of World No Tobacco Day. Held annually on 31 May, the day’s key themes are to protect health, reduce poverty and promote development. The event featured panelists from the governments of Panama, Italy and the Philippines, as well as […]

Prof. David Wood being interviewed in front of shelves of books

Professor David Wood, WHF President, on participating in the 70th World Health Assembly

22 May, 2017

Today marks the opening of the 70th World Health Assembly (WHA), one of the highlights of the global health calendar. At this annual conference, Ministers of Health, civil society and World Health Organization (WHO) experts will meet to discuss the most pressing health issues of our time, including cardiovascular disease (CVD). As President of […]

Dr Margaret Chan, Director-General addresses the 70th World Health Assembly

Address by Dr Margaret Chan at the 70th World Health Assembly, 22 May

22 May, 2017

In her final address to the World Health Assembly as Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr Margaret Chan addressed the importance of engaging all partners to the future of public health. In a powerful speech in which she reflected on developments in public health over the past decade, Dr Chan also refuted claims that the […]

Healthy Stadia logo

Football Scores Goals for Health

15 May, 2017

The power of football to positively impact on the health of fans, local communities and stadium workforces was the clear message delivered by clubs, associations and stadium operators to over 200 delegates at the fourth European Healthy Stadia Conference held at Arsenal FC’s Emirates Stadium on Thursday 27th April. The Conference celebrated 10 […]

World Heart Day infographic

World Heart Federation’s new heart health monitor

12 May, 2017

World Heart Federation’s new heart health monitor will chart worldwide progress toward preventing CVD and early deaths The World Heart Federation (WHF) has today released an interactive monitor tool that creates a global picture of heart health. This innovative online tool brings together quality World Health Organization (WHO) data from around the world and is […]

A woman holding an alarm clock and a knitted heart

Global RHD Commitment: progress update

4 May, 2017

Rheumatic heart disease has been neglected by decision-makers for too long. RHD Action has therefore created the #TimeToTackleRHD campaign to call for a WHO Resolution on RHD. This major piece of policy is set to be the first global commitment that recognizes RHD as a priority health issue. Here are some updates from our […]