Latest updates on the coronavirus and heart disease
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Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death worldwide. They constitute a significant threat to global development, with 75% of related deaths happening in low- and middle-income countries. In addition to the burden of mortality, the number of people living two or more chronic conditions has increased steadily over the past 20 years, resulting in a lower quality of life for people living with CVDs and placing additional stress on healthcare systems.
Since 2017, the Global Coalition for Circulatory Health (GCCH) – a consortium of international, regional and national stakeholders in circulatory health – has called on governments to pay sufficient attention to the huge burden of CVDs and to do more to address the growing concern. The urgent need to address CVDs has become even more pressing this year as a result of the disproportionate impact the COVID-19 pandemic is having on people living with circulatory conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease or stroke.
On the occasion of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day on 12 December, the Global Coalition for Circulatory Health is asking governments not to leave people living with CVDs behind.
We urge Member States to:
[1] Clark A, Jit M, Warren-Gash C, et al. Global, regional, and national estimates of the population at increased risk of severe COVID-19 due to underlying health conditions in 2020: a modelling study. Lancet Glob Health. 2020 https://www.thelancet.com/action/showPdf?pii=S2214-109X%2820%2930264-3 (Accessed 20.07.2020)
WHO Executive Board 148: Keeping CVD at the center of the global health debate
Addressing substandard and falsified medical products at #EB148
Addressing non-State actors involvement in WHO's governing bodies at #EB148