COUNTRIES FLOCK TO EUROPEAN HEART HEALTH CHARTERTwenty-seven European countries have signed the European Heart Health Charter since it was launched on 12 June 2007. In signing, the countries committed themselves to implementing specific measures to reduce Europe’s heavy burden of cardiovascular disease. Most of the signings were by representatives of nongovernmental organizations working at the national level to prevent and control cardiovascular disease. Governments sign onThe response of national governments however, has been equally as impressive. Approximately 90% of the country signings have included representatives of national governments, who joined the representatives of nongovernmental organizations in agreeing to implement the charter’s provisions, according to Susanne Løgstrup, director of the European Heart Network. “The biggest accomplishment has been the overwhelming support of the political community at the national level,” said Sophie O’Kelly, European Affairs Coordinator of the European Society of Cardiology. “In most cases, governments were represented at the [national] launch ceremonies, in general by their health ministers. In some cases, ministers of education or social affairs were also present or represented.” For example, in Ireland the charter was signed on 11 July 2007 by the Minister of Health and Children, six members of Parliament and representatives of 18 professional and nongovernmental organizations. In Hungary the charter was signed on 20 June 2007 by the Minister of Health and representatives of 18 professional and nongovernmental organisations. In Estonia the charter was signed on 30 September 2007 by the Social Affairs Minister and representatives of four professional and nongovernmental organizations. The signings by the national governments were expected to increase the political commitment of countries to promote heart health. Europe respondsThe charter was created by the European Heart Network, the European Society of Cardiology and the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe, with the support of the European Commission, to respond to the scourge of cardiovascular disease in Europe. Cardiovascular disease is Europe’s biggest killer. It accounts for 43% of all male deaths and 55% of all female deaths, killing more people than all cancers combined, according to the World Health Organization. It costs the European-Union economy €169 billion per year. Pledges to actIn general, the signatories agree to:
In the autumn of 2008, the European Commission plans to invite signatories to Brussels to commemorate the charter’s first anniversary and to plan future actions. Both the European Society of Cardiology and the European Heart Network hope that the European Council of Ministers will eventually develop a specific set of recommendations on tackling cardiovascular disease. The thought is that recommendations by that body would produce a greater response at the national level. “We consider recommendations as a logical follow up of the charter,” Ms O’Kelly said. To read and learn more, visit the European Heart Health Charter web site. | |||||||
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