"In an increasingly connected world, inter-organizational collaboration is vital to solve global problems," writes ACC President Patrick T. O’Gara, MD, FACC, and ACC past presidents, John Gordon Harold, MD, MACC, and William A. Zoghbi, MD, MACC, in a commentary published in the Lancet. "The widespread impact of CVD makes it a prime example of a global epidemic that should not and cannot be tackled by an individual health care provider, hospital, health system, country, or region in isolation."

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The commentary highlights the ACC’s efforts over the last several years, working with international partners and its growing number of International Chapters, to most effectively meet the needs of cardiovascular clinicians and patients in different settings throughout the world. In particular, O’Gara, Harold and Zoghbi point out educational efforts ranging from live educational programs that bring the latest science directly to cardiovascular professionals on the ground in major cities, to train-the-trainer activities that empower local faculty to educate each other. They also spotlight the role of data collection, analytics and registry development in improving cardiovascular care.

In order to develop and expand these programs, the commentary stresses the importance of greater partnerships with governments and the private sector. The global effort to foster greater understanding and action around non-communicable diseases is one example of a successful multi-stakeholder initiative already underway that could be used as a model going forward.

"Although there is no single solution for CVD, an international, interdisciplinary, and multisectoral approach is vital to our collective health, and that of generations to follow. Collaboration is not a luxury; it is a necessity," they write.

Keywords: Organizations, Private Sector, Registries, Health Personnel, Faculty, Epidemics

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