New global initiative aims to bring renewed attention to the rising trajectory of CVD incidence and mortality through collaborative advocacy for cardiovascular health and healthy aging. 

New York – 27 February 2025 – Today, the Global Coalition on Aging (GCOA) is pleased to announce the launch of the Aging with Heart Alliance, a new global initiative aimed at elevating cardiovascular disease (CVD) as a critical public health priority and addressing the growing burden of heart disease as populations age. The Alliance, comprising select global organizations across cardiovascular health, aging, healthcare, economics, and advocacy groups, seeks to reverse the upward trajectory of CVD incidence and mortality through a coordinated global advocacy effort focused on cardiovascular health and healthy aging. 

Taking Action Against the World’s Leading Killer  

Cardiovascular diseases are already the leading cause of death worldwide. In fact, in the population over the age of 70, CVD accounts for more than 40 percent of total deaths. Age is the leading risk factor of CVD, and the global population over the age of 60 is expected to reach 2 billion by mid-century. Despite its growing impact on the health of society, CVD is still underprioritized around the world. The Aging with Heart Alliance will work to shift perceptions, raise awareness, and advocate for systemic changes that will drive improvements in CVD prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and care throughout the life course. 

“We are at a pivotal moment in public health—cardiovascular disease is not only the leading cause of death globally, but it also disproportionately affects older populations, threatening individual health, the sustainability of healthcare systems, workplace productivity, and overall economic growth,” said Michael Hodin, CEO of GCOA. “It’s critical that we act now to re-prioritize cardiovascular disease at the top of the global health agenda and invest in solutions that promote cardiovascular health and healthy aging.” 

The mission of the Aging with Heart Alliance is to help reverse the growing incidence and mortality rates associated with CVD so that it is no longer a barrier to healthy, long lives. By fostering collaboration among global health experts, advocacy organizations, healthcare providers, and policymakers, the Alliance will raise awareness about the connection between CVD and aging, advance research on CVD prevention and management, and drive policy change to ensure access to quality care for all individuals at risk of or living with cardiovascular disease. 

Spotlight on CVD Prevention at Every Stage of Life and Disease Progression 

Today, the Alliance is also launching its first report, Cardiovascular Disease and the Case for Prevention, which addresses the rising burden of CVD aligned with the aging megatrend, defines a framework for lifelong, integrated prevention in global health strategies, and calls for action from policymakers, healthcare professionals, patient advocacy groups, and other stakeholders. In the paper, the Alliance calls for national action plans, expanded access to CVD screenings, and systemic and community-based approaches to achieving CVD prevention.  

“This new report from the Aging with Heart Alliance showcases that prevention can happen in many forms and at all life stages – from when a risk factor is identified to after an acute cardiac event and from a healthy diet and exercise at the earliest phase of life to proper rehabilitation in the later phases,” said Sue Koob, CEO, Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association and Alliance Advisory Committee member. “Working with GCOA and all the Alliance partners, we will help educate and activate policymakers to leverage prevention to change the trajectory of this preventable and treatable disease.” 

A Global and Collaborative Approach to CVD Advocacy 

The Aging with Heart Alliance’s approach will comprise a variety of other key initiatives, including advocating for CVD as a priority during the High-level Meeting on Noncommunicable Diseases during this year’s United Nations General Assembly and convening conversation to advance awareness and action on cardiovascular health in the pursuit of healthy aging for women.  

The Alliance’s efforts will align with other global health initiatives, including the United Nations’ Decade of Healthy Ageing, to advocate for cardiovascular health as a key pillar of healthy aging worldwide.  

An expert Advisory Committee will help shape the Alliance’s strategic direction and ensure its success in raising awareness and effecting change. These leaders include Sue Koob, CEO, Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association; Dr. Holly Andersen, Attending Cardiologist and Associate Professor of Medicine at the New York Presbyterian Hospital and Director of Education and Outreach at the Ronald O. Perelman Heart Institute, Weill Cornell Medical Center; Nick Uzl, JD, Director, Global Public Policy, Non-Communicable Diseases, MSD; Dr. Paolo Magni MD, PhD, Professor, Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan and Member, Scientific Committee, Italian Heart Foundation; and Dr. Dan Forman, Professor of Medicine and Chair, Section of Geriatric Cardiology, University of Pittsburgh. 

The Aging with Heart Alliance is made possible through support from MSD. 

For more information about the Aging with Heart Alliance, visit www.globalcoalitiononaging.com. To get involved, contact Parm Thind at [email protected].  

About the Aging with Heart Alliance 

The Aging with Heart Alliance convenes a diverse group of experts from around the globe—from cardiovascular disease, aging, and beyond—to align networks, collaboratively advocate, and create urgency for policy changes at the intersection of CVD and aging. 

About the Global Coalition on Aging
The Global Coalition on Aging aims to reshape how global leaders approach and prepare for the 21st century’s profound shift in population aging. GCOA uniquely brings together global corporations across industry sectors with common strategic interests in aging populations, a comprehensive and systemic understanding of aging, and an optimistic view of its impact. Through research, public policy analysis, advocacy, and strategic communications, GCOA is advancing innovative solutions and working to ensure global aging is a path for fiscally sustainable economic growth, social value creation and wealth enhancement.