Health was at the top of the global agenda the third week of September with three UN High-Level Meetings addressing Universal Health Coverage (UHC), Pandemic Preparedness, Prevention and Response (PPPR), and Tuberculosis. World Heart Federation Board Members Tom Gaziano and Diana Vaca Mcghie led the WHF delegation at the UN General Assembly, advocating for heart health at the highest international decision-making body. On Thursday, September 21st, the UN held a high-level meeting on Universal Health Coverage wherein the body approved a new Political Declaration on “Universal Health Coverage (UHC): expanding our ambition for health and well-being in a post-COVID world ” with increased focus on NCDs and CVD.
As the health community gathered in New York, WHF also co-hosted three high-level side events. On Tuesday the 19th, WHF partnered with ACC, the NCD Alliance and Viatris to discuss enhancing the health workforce through innovation. As co-chair of the Taskforce on Women and NCDs, WHF also co-hosted a roundtable discussion on digital innovations for achieving equity in women’s health. And on Wednesday the 20th, WHF joined its partners in the Global Coalition for Circulatory Health to address strengthening circulatory health through UHC, welcoming the Undersecretary for Health and “Dancing Doctor” of the Philippines – watch the recording here!
Other highlights of the week include the launch of the World Hypertension Report at an event hosted by Resolve to Save Lives and WHO. On September 21st, Heads of State supporting the NCD Global Compact convened to accelerate efforts toward achieving NCD-related SDGs by 2030.
WHF also participated in a number of high-level side events associated with the SDG Summit and NYC Climate Week, including a panel discussion hosted by the Consulate of Denmark on childhood obesity and climate change and a policy and a driver of sustainable development. Finally, WHF represented the global heart community at events hosted by Unicef, the UN, Devex, the World Bank and others to push for greater efforts and share solutions to tackle the world’s number one killer.
