Novartis, Global Heart Hub to Combat Cardiovascular Disease

Novartis and Global Heart Hub recently launched Invisible Nation, a program to bring together a global network of patient organizations and other stakeholders to tackle atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVS). 

Invisible Nation will highlight the human and societal costs of ASCVD, advocate for high-level government commitments to combat the disease, and advance partnerships to fast-track a global effort to reduce ASCVD-related death, a Novartis spokesperson explained. 

Additionally, the program will recommend policy-shaping efforts to change how governments, health systems, and others can change the path of ASCVD and begin a decline in ASCVD-related death. 

Overall, the program aims to prevent a majority of the 15 million annual ASCVD deaths and reduce what could become $1 trillion in annual cardiovascular disease costs.

“We see Invisible Nation as a catalyst for action among patient organizations worldwide,” Marie-France Tschudin, president of Novartis, said in the announcement.

“The groups that speak for the millions of people globally who die from ASCVD have a powerful mandate to ensure that it is recognized and addressed as the number one killer in the world,” Tschudin continued. 

The majority of ASCVD-related deaths are preventable. But The World Health Organization (WHO) has a goal of a 25-percent reduction in cardiovascular disease mortality by 2025. 

Global Health Hub will begin working with patient groups and cardiovascular disease stakeholders to finalize the plan and correlate on initiatives to help governments and health systems meet the WHO’s goal. 

On the other hand, Novartis will assist in the initiative by helping network members access the information needed to engage with local health systems, health authorities, and policymakers. 

Along with Invisible Nation, Novartis also supports the recent Declaration of the G20 Health Ministers. The declaration acknowledges that non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular disease, may increase the severity and risk of death from COVID-19. 

The company is also committed to working with thought leaders, medical societies, health authorities, and non-governmental organizations globally to highlight the urgency to treat cardiovascular disease and create new partnerships to boost access to innovation. 

ASCVD is about 60 percent higher than the number of deaths attributed to cancer, according to Neil Johnson, executive director of the Global Heart Hub. 

“Patient organizations have an opportunity — and a responsibility — to expose the realities of ASCVD, leading to a better prognosis and reduction in premature deaths. By increasing awareness, we will activate change,” Johnson concluded.