World Heart Federation

World Heart Federation

The World Heart Federation (WHF) is a global non-governmental organization dedicated to the prevention and control of heart disease and stroke. It was established in 1978 and is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. The WHF works towards promoting cardiovascular health, advocating for policies and programs, and raising awareness about heart disease and stroke worldwide.

History

The World Heart Federation was founded with the aim of reducing the global burden of cardiovascular diseases. It was established as a result of the growing recognition of the need for a coordinated global effort to address the rising prevalence of heart disease and stroke.

Mission and Objectives

The mission of the World Heart Federation is to promote cardiovascular health and reduce the global burden of heart disease and stroke. Its objectives include:

• Advocating for policies and programs that promote heart health and prevent cardiovascular diseases.
• Raising awareness about the risk factors and prevention strategies for heart disease and stroke.
• Supporting research and innovation in the field of cardiovascular health.
• Collaborating with governments, healthcare professionals, and other stakeholders to develop and implement effective strategies for the prevention and control of heart disease and stroke.

Programs and Initiatives

The World Heart Federation implements various programs and initiatives to achieve its mission and objectives. Some of the key programs and initiatives include:

• World Heart Day: World Heart Day is an annual event observed on September 29th to raise awareness about cardiovascular diseases and promote heart-healthy lifestyles. The WHF organizes various activities and campaigns to engage individuals, communities, and organizations in promoting heart health on this day.

• Tobacco Control Initiative: The WHF works towards reducing tobacco use, a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. It advocates for strong tobacco control policies, supports anti-smoking campaigns, and promotes smoking cessation programs.

• Roadmap to 25x25: The WHF has set a target to reduce premature deaths from cardiovascular diseases by 25% by the year 2025 (referred to as 25x25). The Roadmap to 25x25 outlines strategies and actions to achieve this target, including promoting healthy diets, physical activity, and access to quality healthcare.

• RHD Action: Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is a preventable and treatable condition that affects millions of people worldwide. The WHF leads the RHD Action initiative, which aims to raise awareness, improve access to care, and advocate for policy changes to eliminate RHD as a public health problem.

Global Advocacy

The World Heart Federation actively engages in global advocacy efforts to promote heart health and prevent cardiovascular diseases. It collaborates with international organizations, governments, and other stakeholders to influence policies and programs related to cardiovascular health.

The WHF advocates for:

• Healthy Public Policies: The WHF calls for the implementation of policies that promote heart-healthy environments, such as restrictions on tobacco advertising, taxation on unhealthy foods, and promotion of physical activity.

• Universal Health Coverage: The WHF advocates for universal access to quality healthcare, including prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

• Research and Innovation: The WHF supports research and innovation in the field of cardiovascular health to develop new strategies, technologies, and interventions for the prevention and control of heart disease and stroke.

See Also

• Cardiovascular Disease
• Stroke
• Rheumatic Heart Disease
• World Health Organization

External Links

• Official Website of the World Heart Federation
• World Heart Day
• Tobacco Control Initiative
• Roadmap to 25x25
• RHD Action