Invisible Nation

Global Heart Hub program puts the spotlight on an ‘Invisible Nation’ living with ASCVD – the world’s #1 killer

Global Heart Hub is united to effect systemic change in tackling ASCVD by reducing and preventing many of the 15 million annual global deaths from this disease. Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is the underlying cause of 85% of heart attack and stroke related deaths.

In a unique collaboration, Global Heart Hub partnered with Novartis to help highlight the ‘Invisible Nation’ living with ASCVD and to reduce preventable loss of life and the associated economic burden on healthcare systems. Working with a global network of heart patient organisations and heart patient advocates, and created in partnership with Novartis, Invisible Nation aims to engage with all the stakeholders in cardiovascular diseases.

Invisible Nation  advocates for policy-shaping efforts to rewrite how governments, health systems and all stakeholders can work together to change the trajectory of ASCVD and begin a generational decline in CV death. The program’s goal is to help reduce the 15 million ASCVD deaths per year and the enormous financial costs of continued inaction by shedding light on this undeniable global public health issue, hidden in plain sight.

Even though the great majority of ASCVD-related deaths are preventable, most countries are nowhere near attaining the World Health Organization (WHO) goal of a 25% reduction in CV mortality by 2025. By putting a spotlight on the number 1 cause of heart attacks, strokes, and death, Invisible Nation intends to ignite discourse, inspire action, and activate systemic change to make the burden of undiagnosed and unmanaged ASCVD un-ignorable.

“Many will be surprised to learn that millions and millions of people die each year from ASCVD, and they will be even more surprised when they realize that this terrible loss of life is roughly 60% higher than the number of deaths attributed to cancer,” says Neil Johnson, Executive Director of the Global Heart Hub. “This is a shocking fact, when you consider that up to 80% of CV events could be prevented. Patient organizations have a responsibility and now the opportunity to highlight the realities of ASCVD and expose the barriers for people living with it to reach better health outcomes.  Increased awareness is the first step in activating change.”

“There won’t be many people who don’t have a story to tell about a loved one who has been affected by cardiovascular disease. ASCVD is a leading cause of this global heart disease crisis and we cannot ignore it. This is something close to my heart and I’m proud that Novartis is partnering with Global Heart Hub to enact change. We will continue to work with partners from around the world to highlight this Invisible Nation and ensure people with ASCVD get the care they need,” said Marie-France Tschudin, President of Novartis Pharmaceuticals.

Launch of new patient-led research

Following the unveiling of Global Heart Hub’s Global Cholesterol Action Plan, Global Heart Hub began collecting patient insights from individuals whose cholesterol levels are not at target or those who have suffered a cardiovascular event to better understand patient experiences that can help impact care and improve outcomes. The first-of-its-kind cholesterol patient insights generation by the cardiovascular patient community is needed to help support the local implementation of the Global Cholesterol Action Plan and to drive strategies to manage unhealthy cholesterol, a critical modifiable risk factor for the world’s biggest killer, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD).