At the World Heart Summit: Connecting Pollution to Cardiovascular Risk

Geneva, May 2025.

At this year’s World Heart Summit, held ahead of the World Health Assembly, the Global Alliance on Health and Pollution (GAHP) joined global leaders and health experts to emphasize the often-overlooked link between pollution and cardiovascular disease (CVD).

CVDs remain the leading cause of death worldwide. Yet, the role of pollution—especially air pollution—as a major risk factor is still not adequately addressed in global health strategies. Millions of people, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), die prematurely each year from heart-related conditions worsened by exposure to polluted air.

GAHP is working to close this gap. Our mission is to support low- and middle-income countries in identifying pollution sources and developing national plans that place pollution control at the center of public health policy. Through the Health and Pollution Action Plan (HPAP) process, we help countries generate evidence, engage multiple sectors, and create targeted strategies that reduce health burdens, including CVDs linked to pollution.

Maria Paola Lia, GAHP Executive Director at the Summit. Photo by GAHP, 2025.

The World Heart Summit reinforced the urgency of integrating environmental and health agendas. Tackling pollution is not only an environmental issue—it is a public health imperative. No one should die or suffer from a preventable cause.

GAHP continues to call for stronger cross-sector collaboration, investment in pollution reduction, and a greater focus on the environmental drivers of noncommunicable diseases.