Public Health Partners
Cardiovascular disease: Our collective responsibility
Cardiovascular disease: Our collective responsibility
Protecting hearts, advancing public health
The ESC is dedicated to advancing cardiovascular health
As the world’s leading cause of death, preventing and treating cardiovascular disease is one of today’s most urgent public health challenges. Addressing this is not the responsibility of any single organisation – it requires a collective effort, grounded in collaboration, shared knowledge and mutual support.
At the European Society of Cardiology, we are proud to be part of a global ecosystem dedicated to advancing cardiovascular health. Through valuable partnerships and coalitions, alongside the sharing of data, expertise and experience, we work hand in hand with our network to create healthier communities and drive meaningful change.
National Cardiac Societies
Collaboritng through the ESC Cardiopolicy Group
Supporting the creation and implementation of national cardiovascular health plans
The ESC Cardiopolicy Group brings together representatives from our member National Cardiac Societies to influence legislation, funding and governmental priorities for cardiovascular care. At its heart, the group is about collaboration: exchanging knowledge, sharing best practices and learning together from emerging health policy trends and opportunities.
Since its inception, the group has actively engaged with Ministers of Health to secure the Safe Heart Plan that was announced by the EU Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare in December 2025, while also advocating for dedicated funding in the upcoming EU budget cycle.
Many National Cardiac Societies are now successfully advancing their own national cardiovascular health plans, demonstrating the power of collective action.
Alliances and Networks
Our partners in shaping cardiovascular policy at national and European levels
European Alliance for Cardiovascular Health (EACH)
EACH brings together 22 leading European and international organisations around joint activities to promote cardiovascular health as a policy priority at EU level.
Alliance for Workplace Awareness and Response to Emergencies (AWARE)
AWARE is a network representing key organisations fully dedicated to addressing sudden cardiac arrests in the workplace in the EU and more broadly in Europe.
Medical Device Coordination Group (MDCG)
MDCG was created by the EU Medical Device Regulation as a forum for stakeholders to provide advice and assist in ensuring a harmonised implementation of the regulatory framework.
BioMed Alliance in Europe
The BioMed Alliance in Europe aims to provide a platform for their members to speak with a unified voice and interact with EU policymakers on key topics for European biomedical and health research.
Joint Action on Cardiovascular Diseases and Diabetes (JACARDI)
JACARDI is an EU-funded initiative that aims to help European countries reduce the burden of chronic diseases through 142 pilot projects in public and clinical settings. The ESC has a position on their Advisory Committee.
European Chronic Disease Alliance (ECDA)
The ECDA is a coalition of 13 European health organisations sharing the same interests in combating preventable chronic diseases through European policies that impact health.
European Medicines Agency Healthcare Professionals’ Working Party (HCPWP)
The ESC is a member of the European Medicines Agency Healthcare Professionals’ Working Party (HCPWP), established by the EMA to strengthen dialogue between regulators and healthcare professionals.
Health Technology Assessment Stakeholder Network (HTAi)
The ESC takes part in the Health Technology Assessment Stakeholder Network (HTAi), an EU-level forum supporting the Coordination Group on Health Technology Assessment.
eHealth Stakeholder Group
The ESC is a member of the eHealth Stakeholder Group, a European Commission advisory group, where we provide expert input on digital health, health data use, interoperability and artificial intelligence.
European Consortia
The ESC works hand in hand with leading European Consortia across Europe through EU funded projects, positioning us at the heart of the research activities that advance CV Health.
Working with patients
The patient perspective is critical for meaningful change
Our Patient Forum helps shape strategy and decsion making
Our Patient Forum plays an essential role across our advocacy and regulatory committees, helping to shape strategy and ensure the patient perspective is at the centre of decision-making. Forum members actively participate in our events and discussions, sharing personal stories and highlighting patient issues that might otherwise be overlooked, such as the importance of patient involvement in care decisions, therapy adherence and attention to gender and emotional well-being. These valuable insights help make cardiovascular care more compassionate, equitable and responsive to real patient needs.
Contact the advocacy and regulatory team in Brussels: