29 September 2013 – World Heart Day is observed every year by the World Health Organization on 29 September. The World Heart Federation has selected "take the road to a healthy heart" as the theme of this year's Day. The campaign this year focuses on “a life-course approach to the prevention and control of cardiovascular disease with a focus on women and children, because healthy children lead to healthy adults and healthy adults lead to healthy families and communities”.
Cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke is a major cause of disability and premature death in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. It is estimated that 54% of deaths from noncommunicable diseases are due to cardiovascular disease. The high prevalence of cardiovascular disease is primarily attributed to the sedentary lifestyle and increasing exposure to common risk factors, such as tobacco use, hypertension and diabetes.
In May 2013, the World Health Assembly adopted a global target, to achieve a 25% relative reduction in overall mortality from cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes or chronic respiratory diseases by 2025. Achieving this target requires a primary focus on cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke, and that all of the targets have a direct impact on cardiovascular disease.
However, affordability and availability of essential medicines for the management of common cardiovascular diseases is a key challenge for many low resource countries in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. A significant proportion of this morbidity and mortality could be prevented through population-based strategies, and implementing cost-effective interventions “best buys” accessible and affordable, both for people with established disease and for those at high risk of developing diseases.
Related links
World Heart Federation
World Heart Day 2013 campaign material
29 September 2013 – World Heart Day is observed every year by the World Health Organization on 29 September. The World Heart Federation has selected "take the road to a healthy heart" as the theme of this year's Day. The campaign this year focuses on “a life-course approach to the prevention and control of cardiovascular disease with a focus on women and children, because healthy children lead to healthy adults and healthy adults lead to healthy families and communities”.
Cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke is a major cause of disability and premature death in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. It is estimated that 54% of deaths from noncommunicable diseases are due to cardiovascular disease. The high prevalence of cardiovascular disease is primarily attributed to the sedentary lifestyle and increasing exposure to common risk factors, such as tobacco use, hypertension and diabetes.
In May 2013, the World Health Assembly adopted a global target, to achieve a 25% relative reduction in overall mortality from cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes or chronic respiratory diseases by 2025. Achieving this target requires a primary focus on cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke, and that all of the targets have a direct impact on cardiovascular disease.
However, affordability and availability of essential medicines for the management of common cardiovascular diseases is a key challenge for many low resource countries in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. A significant proportion of this morbidity and mortality could be prevented through population-based strategies, and implementing cost-effective interventions “best buys” accessible and affordable, both for people with established disease and for those at high risk of developing diseases.
Related links
World Heart Federation
World Heart Day 2013 campaign material
