This post was authored by John Gordon Harold, MD, MACC, past president of the ACC.

I had the honor of representing the ACC at the “Global Meeting on Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease to Address the Shared Challenges of 25 by 25” hosted by the World Heart Federation (WHF) and the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) as part of ESC Congress 2015 taking place in London. The meeting brought together cardiovascular organizations from across the world to discuss the “25 x 25” global initiative, which strives to achieve a 25 percent relative reduction in overall mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes or chronic respiratory disease, by 2025.

Participating cardiovascular organizations – each with a different perspective on cardiovascular prevention – were asked how they are presently working towards achieving “25 by 25” in reducing premature mortality from NCDs and potential synergies that may benefit from working in partnership. I shared ACC’s new Population Health initiative which aims to close gaps in cardiovascular care around the globe. I explained that with nearly 50,000 members, the ACC, in partnership with other medical specialty societies and government agencies, is uniquely positioned to help decrease cardiovascular mortality in ways that few other entities can deliver through education and a focus on closing gaps in care across populations.

For example, use of ACC’s clinical registries and educational efforts including guideline development are areas where the College can play a critical role. The ability of our registries to collect and monitor data from around the world can identify gaps in care and provide direction in closing those gaps. ACC’s digital strategy, registries and educational resources can also help to facilitate these global efforts in reducing premature cardiovascular mortality by 2025.

NCDs impact individuals, communities and countries and are responsible for 60 percent of global deaths. The magnitude and rapid spread of NCDs means we are all headed for a difficult future unless we take action now. Low-income countries still grappling with the burdens of infectious disease risk are being overwhelmed by the tsunami of largely preventable NCDs. Dr. Margaret Chan, director general of the World Health Organization, has stated that “…A world that is greatly out of balance in matters of health is neither stable nor secure.”

To that end, the ACC is actively working with the NCD Alliance and other global health care stakeholders to find a balance and close the gaps in health care across populations. Collaborative efforts to transform cardiovascular care and improve heart health are key to a world that is stable and secure.

View full ESC Congress 2015 meeting coverage at ACC.org/ESC2015.

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