World Heart Day(WHD) 2023 is observed across the globe on 29th September 2023 to raise awareness about heart health and accelerate actions to prevent, detect and manage cardiovascular diseases(CVD).
Theme:
The theme for the World Heart Day 2023 is “Use Heart, Know Heart.”
- The theme emphasises the crucial process of getting to know one’s own heart first; It intends to think and act towards the reduction of CVD.
Background:
i.WHD was established in 2000 by the World Heart Federation(WHF) in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO).
- The idea of WHD was introduced by Antoni Baie de Luna, former president of the World Health Federation(1997-99).
ii.The day was first observed on 24th September, 2000.
iii.Originally, WHD was observed on the last Sunday of September every year. From 2011 onwards, the day is being observed annually on 29th September.
Significance:
i.WHD focuses on educating people about the sign and symptoms of CVD to avoid any further complications.
ii.It also encourages peoples to inculcate healthy lifestyle to prevent and control any heart related ailments.
iii.It promotes international cooperation in research, prevention, and treatment.
iv.The day aims to spread awareness about risk factors such as tobacco use, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity.
What is CVD?
i.Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels, including coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral arterial disease, rheumatic heart disease, congenital heart disease, deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.
ii.CVDs are one of the leading cause of mortality worldwide.
iii.Heart attack, Stroke and coronary heart disease are one of the most common reason of deaths due to cardiovascular disorders.
Additional Info:
- Numerous South East Asian nations, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, and Timor-Leste, have committed to improving hypertension and diabetes management in primary healthcare by 2025 through the SEAHEARTS initiative.
- SEAHEARTS initiative of the South-East Asia Region is a platform that brings together tobacco control, salt reduction, elimination of industrially produced trans fats along with hypertension and diabetes coverage and control through primary health care.
- India, with the world’s most extensive coverage, aims to provide standard care to 75 million people with hypertension and diabetes by 2025, contributing significantly to Non-Communicable Disease(NCD) management.
- Every year, around 1.7 crore people die due to cardiovascular disease, accounting approx 31% of all global mortality.
Recent Related News:
World Organ Donation Day is annually observed on the 13th August across the globe to spread awareness about the importance of organ donation to save more lives and to make people aware of the misconceptions about organ donation.
About World Heart Federation(WHF):
World Heart Federation is a global Non-Governmental Organization(NGO) dedicated to the prevention and control of cardiovascular diseases.
President – Daniel Piñeiro
Headquarters – Geneva, Switzerland
