Advocacy

The World Heart Federation ensures there is a real understanding of the risk factors for cardiovascular disease by informing the public, actively involving the medical community and lobbying government policy-makers. These activities form the advocacy side of the World Heart Federation. Through these actions and with its members, the World Heart Federation plays a major role in ensuring that governments adopt and implement broad policies for cardiovascular disease prevention.

The World Heart Federation is an active advocate for healthy diets and physical activity, calling for the implementation of the WHO Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health. The organization is also involved in the implementation of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).

The Millennium Development Goals itemize the specific poverty reduction goals of the United Nations. The World Heart Federation is an active proponent of inclusion of cardiovascular disease in the Millennium Development Goals, as 80% of deaths from cardiovascular disease occur in low- to middle-income countries.

The key lifestyle messages about healthy diets, physical activity and smoke-free living are embedded in the World Heart Federation's World Heart Day and Go Red for Women campaigns.