ACC: Global health workforce is in need of investment to combat noncommunicable diseases
American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the World Heart Federation are holding two state of the global health workforce side meetings in support of the 80th United Nations General Assembly on both Sept. 22 and Sept. 24. Held a few blocks from the headquarters of the United Nations (UN), the goal is to draw attention to the large need for workforce investments to combat noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) globally. While the U.S. faces a growing physician shortage, most other nations face even more severe gaps that are harming public health.
The meetings will be hosted along with the NCD Alliance, with support from Viatris, to increase awareness.
Also next week, the Fourth UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs will take place at UN Headquarters in New York. The theme is “Equity and integration: transforming lives and livelihoods through leadership and action on NCDs and the promotion of mental health and well-being.” A central outcome will be the adoption of a political declaration setting ambitious targets and commitments for NCD prevention, control, and mental health support through 2050.
The State of the Global Health Workforce event, moderated by ACC President Christopher Kramer, MD, FACC, will explore the critical link between financing, workforce capacity and NCD care. It is designed to foster multi-sectoral collaboration and policy innovation around sustainable, scalable solutions for ensuring equitable, high-quality care for people living with NCDs worldwide.
“The American College of Cardiology is committed to achieving the promise of universal health coverage and reducing morbidity and mortality from NCDs by 30% by 2030. We see the health workforce as the effector arm to identify those at risk of, or already living with, cardiovascular disease and to prevent further complications," explained Kramer in a statement from ACC. "Without significant investments in workforce capacity, many countries will fail to deliver equitable, high-quality NCD care, widening health disparities and impeding progress toward reducing premature NCD mortality by one-third by 2030.”
Keynote speaker Tom Frieden, MD, CEO of Resolve to Save Lives, will deliver the keynote address on the global health workforce. A panel will then present findings from two workforce reports and share first-hand experiences from community health settings.
Dave Fornell has covered healthcare for more than 17 years, with a focus in cardiology and radiology. Fornell is a 5-time winner of a Jesse H. Neal Award, the most prestigious editorial honors in the field of specialized journalism. The wins included best technical content, best use of social media and best COVID-19 coverage. Fornell was also a three-time Neal finalist for best range of work by a single author. He produces more than 100 editorial videos each year, most of them interviews with key opinion leaders in medicine. He also writes technical articles, covers key trends, conducts video hospital site visits, and is very involved with social media. E-mail: [email protected]