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.
UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs – A Pivotal Moment for Heart Health
The year 2025 represents a unique window of opportunity to advance the global NCD and cardiovascular health agendas. The World Heart Federation has actively and tirelessly engaged in the United Nations High-Level Meeting on NCDs efforts to ensure that cardiovascular disease – the world’s leading cause of death – is prioritized and that Heads of State commit to bold, Evidence-Based, action. Together with the global cardiovascular community, governments, UN agencies, and civil society, we are mobilizing political will, strengthening commitments, and driving action to shape healthier hearts for everyone, everywhere.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Latest Policy & Advocacy News
Designed to Addict: Newer Tobacco and Nicotine Products Are a Threat to Cardiovascular Health
WHF calls for stronger action on cardiovascular health at the 79th World Health Assembly
Reframing Rehabilitation for Lifelong Cardiovascular Health
Strengthening Primary Healthcare for NCDs, Mental Health, and UHC
Ensuring Inclusive and Accountable Global Health Architecture Reform
Accelerating Action on Stroke Through a WHO Resolution
From Declaration to Implementation: Strengthening Circulatory Health in NCD Responses
Turning NCD Commitments into Action: Delivering on the 2025 Political Declaration
