BACKGROUND :

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the world’s leading cause of death. More than 75% of CVD deaths occur in low- or middle-income countries, and in these countries, CVD disproportionately affects people under 70. Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL), an initiative of Vital Strategies, is working to accelerate and scale up the implementation of proven tools and strategies to identify and close deadly gaps in cardiovascular public health and save millions of lives. The initiative focuses on three key areas: hypertension control, salt reduction, and elimination of artificial trans fat. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, kills more people than any other condition – approximately 10 million deaths per year, more than all infectious diseases combined. High blood pressure causes stroke, heart attack, kidney damage and other health problems. Blood pressure, however, can be controlled. This side meeting will highlight how health providers across different health systems are working to address hypertension, using the WHO HEARTS technical package as a framework. Excess salt increases blood pressure and risk of cardiovascular disease. Globally, excess salt consumption is responsible for 1.65 million deaths from heart disease, stroke, and related causes each year. Salt intake, however, can be reduced. This session will showcase countries that have been working successfully to reduce salt consumption, and provide related strategies based on the WHO SHAKE technical package. Artificial trans fat is a toxic chemical that increases the risk of heart attack and death. Globally, artificial trans fat intake is estimated to cause more than 500,000 deaths every year. Artificial trans fat, however, can be eliminated and replaced with healthier alternatives without altering taste or increasing cost. RTSL has been supporting and working with local, national, and global partners to help scale up proven strategies to reduce and eliminate exposure to artificial trans fats. This session will provide an overview of the newly released WHO REPLACE technical package, and feature countries that have been successful in eliminating artificial trans fat.