The World Heart Federation launched the White Paper for Circulatory Health on 25 September, during the United Nations General Assembly and just ahead of the High-Level Meeting on NCDs.

Launched on behalf of the Global Coalition for Circulatory Health, the White Paper is aimed at influencing policymakers at national and international levels. It draws on success stories and patient testimonies to present feasible actions in education and training, universal health coverage, financing, infrastructure, and access to medicines and technologies to advance circulatory health.

The cost to societies of circulatory diseases include:

• A global burden of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and kidney disease that account for half a billion disability years;
• Almost 1 billion people affected by hypertension, a major risk factor for circulatory diseases
• A risk of stroke that doubles every decade after 55 years of age.

In response, the White Paper recommends:

• Improved access to prevention and care for circulatory health;
• Strengthening the role of primary health care doctors, nurses and trained health workers in circulatory health;
• Mobilising national resources for circulatory health, and ensuring that governments and international organisations measure initiatives and drive action.

Speaking at the launch were EU Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Vytenis Andriukaitis, Jamaica’s Minister of Health, Christopher Tufton and David Wood, President of the World Heart Federation.

The launch took place just four days ahead of World Heart Day.

Download the White Paper for Circulatory Health