Petition – Get involved

Dear [Title] [Name],

On behalf of [your organization name], I write to urge you to prioritize cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the negotiations and outcomes of the upcoming United Nations High-Level Meeting on NCDs and Mental Health on 25 September 2025. CVD remains the world’s leading cause of death, responsible for over 20 million lives each year, many of them preventable. It is a major barrier to development and economic stability, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. To meaningfully address this burden, we encourage your delegation to support the following priorities in the Political Declaration and national implementation plans: • Set a global target of 50% hypertension control by 2030 by expanding treatment to 500 million more people, integrated within primary health care and task-sharing models. • Adopt a minimum 50% excise tax on tobacco, alcohol, and sugar-sweetened beverages, with revenues invested in health systems. • Implement the 2021 WHO Air Quality Guidelines and align national targets with recommended levels for key pollutants. • Ensure financial protection by integrating CVD services into UHC benefit packages and increasing CVD-specific health budgets. • Broaden NCD targets to include children, adolescents, and older adults, with a commitment to reduce NCD mortality and morbidity by 50% across all age groups by 2050. To support national implementation, we strongly recommend you endorse the development of a Global Cardiovascular Health Action Plan. WHF has launched a global petition supported by policymakers, professionals, and civil society calling for its adoption. We thank you for your leadership and remain committed to supporting your efforts to protect hearts and save lives.

Sincerely,
[Your Name] [Your Title / Organization]