David Wood, Switzerland
The Global Coalition for Circulatory Health, launched on 18 October at the Montevideo conference unites the broader circulatory community and works in partnership with people living with and affected by circulatory diseases. By working together, a large group of international societies in official relations with WHO supported by multiple NGOs and scientific organizations, aim to drive the urgent action needed to combat heart disease and stroke. Led by the World Heart Federation, we are advocating for circulatory health to Governments and holding policy makers and politicians to account on national strategies and actions to achieve 25by25, and the SDGs 2030 targets. Circulatory diseases, including heart disease and stroke, are the leading cause of death and disability in the world, killing around 17.7 million people a year. This means they are responsible for a third of all deaths on the planet and numbers are set to rise, to an estimated 23 million by 2030. It also means that if we are to #BeatNCDs and achieve the WHO target of a 25% reduction in premature mortality caused by NCDs by 2025 (25by25), we must drive a substantial reduction in heart attacks and stroke. Together, we are in a more powerful position to influence policies by speaking with one voice and to reduce the burden of, and premature deaths from, circulatory diseases. Together, we can #BeatNCDs.