World Heart Federation

World Heart Federation
Name	World Heart Federation
Founded	0 1978
Type	Non-governmental organization
Focus	Cardiovascular disease prevention and control
Headquarters	Geneva, Switzerland
Area served	Worldwide
Key people	Fausto Pinto (President), Jean-Luc Eiselé (CEO)
Website	world-heart-federation.org

World Heart Federation. The World Heart Federation is a leading global non-governmental organization dedicated uniting the cardiovascular community and driving the agenda to reduce the global burden of cardiovascular diseases, which are the world's number one cause of death. Established in the late 1970s, it serves as a principal voice in advocating for heart-healthy policies, fostering scientific exchange, and empowering member organizations to implement effective prevention and control strategies worldwide. Its work spans advocacy, awareness campaigns, and the dissemination of research to transform global cardiovascular health.

History

The organization was founded in 1978 following the merger of the International Society of Cardiology and the International Cardiology Federation, creating a unified body to address the growing epidemic of heart disease. Its early work was closely aligned with the World Health Organization and focused on professional education and scientific congresses. A pivotal moment came with the launch of World Heart Day in 2000, establishing a major global platform for public awareness. Over subsequent decades, it expanded its advocacy role, contributing to landmark global health agreements like the WHO Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of NCDs and establishing key partnerships with entities such as the World Stroke Organization and the International Diabetes Federation.

Mission and objectives

The core mission is to ensure heart health equity for all by promoting cardiovascular wellness and preventing and controlling cardiovascular diseases across the life course. Key objectives include advocating for policies that address risk factors like tobacco use, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, and air pollution. It aims to strengthen health systems to better manage conditions such as hypertension, rheumatic heart disease, and congenital heart disease. A central goal is to integrate cardiovascular health into broader global health and development agendas, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and to reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases by one-third by 2030.

Key initiatives and programs

Major initiatives include the global advocacy campaign for World Heart Day, observed annually on September 29th. The federation runs the Rheumatic Heart Disease initiative, working to eliminate this preventable disease in endemic regions through programs like the Addis Ababa Communiqué. Its Global Coalition for Circulatory Health unites diverse stakeholders to push for political action. The WHF Roadmap series provides expert-authored, practical guides for improving disease management in various settings and for specific conditions, endorsed by leading journals like the European Heart Journal. It also champions the HEARTS Technical Package developed by the World Health Organization for cardiovascular disease management in primary care.

Governance and structure

Governance is led by an elected Board of Directors and an executive committee, with the current president being Fausto Pinto. The chief executive officer, Jean-Luc Eiselé, oversees the secretariat based in Geneva. The federation's work is guided by scientific advisory committees and councils comprising experts from fields like cardiology, public health, and health policy. Its structure includes regional networks and affiliated societies that facilitate action across different geographical areas, ensuring its global strategies are adapted to local contexts in collaboration with national ministries of health and academic institutions like the University of Oxford and Johns Hopkins University.

Member organizations

Membership comprises over 200 cardiology societies and heart foundations from more than 100 countries, forming a vast network of scientific and advocacy expertise. Key members include the American Heart Association, the European Society of Cardiology, the American College of Cardiology, and the Japanese Circulation Society. This coalition also includes national foundations from countries like India, Brazil, and South Africa, as well as regional bodies such as the Asian Pacific Society of Cardiology and the Interamerican Society of Cardiology. These members collaborate on research, share best practices, and amplify advocacy efforts at national and regional levels.

Publications and reports

The federation produces authoritative publications including the Global Heart journal, which publishes peer-reviewed research on cardiovascular medicine and public health. It releases influential policy reports and white papers, such as analyses on the economic impact of cardiovascular disease and the state of global cardiovascular health. The aforementioned WHF Roadmap documents are critical resources, covering topics from secondary prevention to Chagas disease. It also disseminates consensus statements and clinical practice guidelines developed in conjunction with bodies like the European Society of Cardiology and the World Health Organization, shaping standards of care worldwide.

Category:International medical and health organizations Category:Organizations based in Geneva Category:Cardiology organizations