World Heart Federation

HIGHLIGHTS

Post-graduate course on Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD)

The World Heart Federation, in collaboration with the Geneva-based association Coeurs pour Tous (Hearts for All) held a post-graduate course entitled “Rheumatic Heart Disease: challenges and opportunities” in Geneva on 21 June, 2011.  Eliminating rheumatic fever and minimizing the burden of rheumatic heart disease is a key strategic priority for the World Heart Federation and courses such as this that gather the knowledge and expertise of leaders from around the globe, bring us one step closer to reaching our goal.

World Heart Federation, Chief Science Officer, Dr Kathryn Taubert receives Award of Meritorious achievement

The World Heart Federation would like to congratulate Dr Kathryn Taubert, our Senior Science Officer, on her receipt of the Award of Meritorious Achievement from the American Heart Association (AHA).  

IN THIS ISSUE

World Heart Federation members unite to advocate for CVD

World Heart Federation members from around the globe, including Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa, African Heart Network, Pakistan’s Heartfile, Danish Heart Foundation, Asia Pacific Heart Network and Heart and Stroke Foundation of Barbados, gathered in New York in June for an advocacy workshop hosted by the American Heart Association. This was a key preparatory step towards ensuring that members are equipped to raise political awareness about cardiovascular disease (CVD) and that we are united in our asks at the United Nations Summit on Non-Communicable Diseases, taking place in September, to ensure the best possible outcomes for the CVD community.

Fighting Childhood Obesity in South Africa

The Heart and Stroke Foundation of South Africa is working from all angles to combat the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD).  Recently the Foundation has taken on childhood obesity in a new way by releasing an open letter to food retailers in South Africa addressing the issue of marketing unhealthy foods to children in grocery stores.  

Go Red for Women:  launch of the campaign in Latvia

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the number one cause of death of women globally, claiming the lives of over 9.1 million women every year. Inspired by this startling statistic, our Latvian members, are taking action to protect women’s hearts.

World Congress of Cardiology (WCC) 2012:  submit your abstract now

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to present your work at the World Congress of Cardiology (WCC) Scientific Sessions 2012 in Dubai, UAE: submit your abstract today! Be at the heart of the congress to present your research and share science with thousands of cardiologists, members of heart foundations and societies of cardiology as well as health professionals from all around the world.

Plain packaging: the fight to protect Australian heart health

On 1 July 2011, the Australian government introduced the Tobacco Plain Packaging Bill into Parliament for debate. Our member, the National Heart Foundation of Australia has helped build support for this bold step to protect the country’s health. The bill, the first in the world to impose plain packaging, forbids logos, brand imagery, colours and promotional text on tobacco products.  It also increases the size of health warnings to cover 75% of the front and 90% of the back of the package.

Bridging the Gap – NCDs and HIV/AIDS

In mid-July the International Aids Society held their 6th Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention (IAS 2011) in Rome, Italy.  In recognition of the increasing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), the NCD Alliance co-sponsored a pre-meeting to this conference allowing HIV/AIDS specialists and NCD specialists to meet and discuss how to “bridge the gap” between the two disease burdens.  World Heart Federation board member Dr Srinath Reddy spoke at the event on the parallels between HIV and NCDs.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS 2011

27 -31 August  -  Paris, France

European Society of Cardiology Congress 2011

19-20 September - New York, USA

United Nations High Level Meeting on NCDs

27-29 September - Isfahan, Iran

The First International Congress on Prevention, Diagnosis & Management of Hypertension in Iran & Developing the Iranian Guidelines

See all events >