Cardiovascular Health at Every Age: A Foundation for Healthy Ageing

This statement was delivered by Dr. Bente Mikkelsen, Chair of our Advocacy Committee, at the Seventy-Fifth Session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe

Honourable Chair,

Distinguished Delegates,

The World Heart Federation welcomes the prioritization of noncommunicable diseases and healthy ageing in the Second European Programme of Work 2026-2030.

Cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of death in Europe, accounting for 3.9 million deaths each year. Age remains the most significant non-modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease. However, early prevention, detection, and interventions as well as equitable access to care can enable people to live longer, healthier lives.

As demographics shift, health systems face growing pressure that exacerbates inequities across social and geographic lines. In particular, a gender-sensitive approach is essential, as women's cardiovascular risk evolves significantly with age.

Investing in a life-course approach to prevention is essential to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease as well as extend both lifespan and health-span.

We welcome WHO's Ageing is Living strategy and its twin-track approach, which simultaneously promotes well-being in older adults and lays a foundation for lifelong health.

We urge Member States to:

• Implement the Fourth UN Political Declaration on NCDs and Mental Health;
• Prioritize prevention of NCDs, especially cardiovascular disease, across the life-course;
• Transform health and care systems through strengthened primary healthcare and universal health coverage to ensure equitable access to services;
• Address the social, economic, environmental, and commercial determinants of health, with a focus on reducing inequities in exposure to modifiable risk factors and implementing population-level measures to create healthier environments; and
• Ensure meaningful engagement with civil society, particularly people with lived experience, in the development and implementation of the strategy.

Cardiovascular health is central to healthy aging. As such, we call on Member States to adopt and implement the forthcoming European Cardiovascular Health Action Plan.

Thank you.