Cardiovascular Diseases on the Global Agenda: The United Nations High Level Meeting, Sustainable Development Goals,...

Area of Science:

• Global Health Policy
• Noncommunicable Diseases
• Cardiovascular Health

Background:

• Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), including cardiovascular disease (CVD), are leading causes of death globally, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
• NCDs were historically underrepresented on the global health agenda, notably absent from the Millennium Development Goals.
• Advocacy from government and civil society highlighted the urgent need for international attention and a United Nations (UN) response to the growing NCD burden.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize the UN's first-ever meeting of heads of state on NCDs in 2011.
• To highlight the role of advocacy and organizations like the World Heart Federation (WHF) in elevating NCDs, specifically CVD, on the global agenda.
• To outline the future direction of the global CVD movement, emphasizing national action and stakeholder engagement.

Main Methods:

• Review of the UN's 2011 meeting on NCDs.
• Analysis of advocacy efforts leading to NCD inclusion in global goals.
• Examination of the World Heart Federation's role and future strategies for CVD prevention and control.

Main Results:

• The 2011 UN meeting marked a pivotal moment for global NCD awareness and action.
• Cardiovascular disease (CVD) was successfully integrated into the Sustainable Development Goals.
• The World Heart Federation (WHF) played a key role in advocating for NCDs and CVD inclusion.

Conclusions:

• The UN meeting and subsequent advocacy significantly advanced the global NCD agenda.
• Future efforts require national-level action, including CVD roadmaps and partnerships with organizations like the World Health Organization.
• Engaging individuals affected by or at risk of CVD is crucial for translating global policy into national-level impact and securing resources.