September 26, 2010 is World Heart Day. This has been an annual global event, which the World Heart Federation has started 10 years ago to promote the importance of taking care of our hearts. Medical statistics have shown that 17.1 million people around the world die of heart attack and stroke yearly and 80% of those come from third world countries. It is the goal of the WHF (World Heart Federation) to gather together health ministries of different nations, health professionals, NGOs, and other members in cooperation with the World Health Organization (WHO) to work toward creating awareness among people about the danger of heart disease and its prevention by limiting the risk factors if not totally eradicating them.
This year’s theme is “I Work with Heart”. It is to emphasize one’s personal responsibility in taking care of his heart by eating a healthy diet, avoiding physical inactivity and keeping the body tobacco free.
WHF is also active in a global initiative, which calls for an immediate response to provide adequate funding for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) as well especially in low to middle income countries. NCDs include heart ailments, stroke, cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory disease. Statistics show that these diseases cause 80% of deaths around the world and yet international aid agencies in low to middle income countries have spent only 0.9% of their $22 Billion collective appropriation for NCDs.
The World Heart Federation, together with the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), the International Union Against Cancer (UICC) and the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (the Union), representing 800 member organizations in more than 170 countries, calls for:
1. A United Nations General Assembly Special Session on NCDs (NCD UNGASS)
2. NCD indicators to be included in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Review Summit in September 2010
3. Funding for Essential NCD Medicines
For more information in this topic, visit the WHF website:
I agree that we have a responsibility to keep our hearts pumping so it is crucial for all of us to live healthy and stay healthy ‘cause once that heart stops pumping, we’re history.
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