Striving to prevent, control and reduce the global burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD), the World Heart Federation recognizes that it is imperative to garner global attention from partners outside of traditional health sectors. As the number one killer worldwide and responsible for nearly half of the global non-communicable disease (NCD) burden, CVD is a crisis that requires a multi-sectoral response. To address the challenge of CVD and NCDs not being recognized as a priority on the global health and development agendas the World Heart Federation joined forces, in 2009, with its sister organizations representing the four major NCDs (as defined by the World Health Organization – cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic respiratory disease and diabetes) under the umbrella of the NCD Alliance, to advocate for change.
