About World Heart Day
What is World Heart Day?
World Heart Day, organised by the World Heart Federation (WHF) and its members and co-sponsored by the World Health Organisation (WHO), UNESCO and Sport for Development and Peace, is the WHF's most important advocacy event and aims to increase public awareness and promote preventive measures to reduce cardiovascular disease and stroke. Begun in 1999 with the vision that all WHF members could collectively help to curb the global pandemic of cardiovascular disease, which claims some 17 million lives worldwide annually, World Heart Day is now celebrated by members and non-members alike in more than 100 countries around the world.
When is World Heart Day?
World Heart Day is celebrated on the last Sunday in September every year. This system was chosen so that it always falls on a day when many individuals and families are free to attend the organised activities. Many events take place on the day itself, or in the weeks leading up to or just following World Heart Day.
Who celebrates World Heart Day?
WHF members, comprising 189 cardiology societies and heart foundations in more than 100 countries, organise activities for World Heart Day. A large number of non-members, whether hospitals, cardiac clinics, universities, schools, individuals and a number of other organisations, also join in by organising events.
How is World Heart Day celebrated?
A variety of activities are organised around the world each year, many of which encourage people to get moving, to eat healthily and to be aware of the risk factors for cardiovascular disease and stroke. Many of the activities involve group gatherings and media campaigns to spread the word about heart health. The activities are often geared toward the World Heart Day theme which changes yearly. Some examples of activities held are listed below.
- Healthy heart walks
- Walkathons
- Jump-rope competitions
- Dancing competitions
- Heart health quizzes
- Painting and drawing competitions
- Risk factor screening (blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose measurement)
- Exercise testing
- Talks on healthy eating
- Recipe tips
- Cardiology conferences for physicians and medical students
- Distribution of World Heart Day promotional materials (leaflets, T-shirts, caps...)
- Appearances on radio and television programmes
- Press conferences
- Articles in newspapers and magazines
To find out what is being held in your country, check the
Activities section or contact the
WHF member in your country.
The World Heart Day theme
While the continuous slogan for World Heart Day is "A Heart for Life", each year the Day is dedicated to a special theme, as listed below.
2006 How Young is Your Heart?
2005 Healthy Weight, Healthy Shape
2004 Children, Adolescents and Heart Disease
2003 Women, Heart Disease and Stroke
2002 Obesity, Physical Activity and Nutrition
2001 A Heart for Life
2000 Physical Activity
How is World Heart Day organised?
The WHF creates a new design to promote the yearly theme and includes it in materials (e.g., leaflet, poster) made available to its members. Members can also download these materials from the
WHF web site, Members only section. Other interested parties can contact the WHF members in their countries. The WHF also provides a media kit with radio script, launch press release, WHD key messages, diary note, and model letter for support. Organisers are encouraged to use these materials when contacting their local or national media organisations. Other key tips for organising activities are found in the
Activities section.
The international World Heart Day campaign is backed by
global supporters.
Who to contact Organisers
Please send activity reports to Carola Alder, World Heart Day Manager, World Heart Federation,
carola.adler@worldheart.org Potential supporters
Please contact Helen Alderson, Director of Development, World Heart Federation,
helen.alderson@worldheart.org. Tel: +42 22 807 03 30
International media
Please contact Victoria Dix,
Victoria_Dix@ch.cohnwolfe.com, Tel: +41 22 908 40 71
National or local media
Please contact the
WHF member in your country.
Links:
World Heart Day |
World Heart Foundation 
Re: World Heart Day -
25-09-2006, 12:01 AM
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