The world simply cannot wait for the next pandemic to invest in NCDs. The Global Coalition for Circulatory Health (GCCH), formed in 2017, is the only network of international, regional and national organizations advocating for increased prevention, control and treatment of all circulatory diseases. WSO together the members of the Global Coalition have produced a Position Paper providing a clear rationale and actionable proposals for Member States to include measures to address circulatory health in emergency preparedness plans.
The Position Paper was launched with a high-level webinar. Following welcoming remarks from WHF President Fausto Pinto and WHO Director General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, two panel discussions focused on both the distinct interrelationship between COVID-19 and circulatory health and the specific transformations and investments that can help prevent future syndemic crisis points. The WSO Immediate Past President Michael Brainin and President Elect Sheila Martins participated in the panel discussions.