The upcoming UN General Assembly (UNGA) side event organized by the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC) and the University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) represents a critical convergence of global cardiovascular research and health data analytics. Set to be held on September 24, 2025, at the prestigious Harvard Club in New York City, this forum aims to unravel the latest findings from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2023 study, an unparalleled compendium of health metrics that integrates data from nearly 16,500 expert contributors across 168 countries. This event promises to deliver nuanced insights into cardiovascular disease (CVD) trends and their implications for public health policies worldwide.
The GBD study is arguably the most comprehensive global effort to quantify mortality, morbidity, and risk factors associated with a wide array of diseases, including cardiovascular disorders. By analyzing data collected over three decades, from 1990 to 2023, the study provides an unprecedented longitudinal perspective on how cardiovascular disease patterns have shifted across different regions, nations, and even subnational jurisdictions. This level of granularity is essential for tailoring effective interventions since cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death globally despite advances in medicine and technology.
A focal point of the event will be the presentation of updated data for 204 countries and territories, illuminating both emergent trends and persistent disparities in cardiovascular outcomes. These data sets incorporate a multitude of determinants including social, economic, and environmental factors, allowing experts to dissect how varying health system capacities influence disease burden. For example, the study explores the differential impact of ischemic heart disease, stroke, hypertensive heart disease, and other cardiovascular conditions in diverse demographic settings.
This detailed epidemiological mapping has profound significance for advancing United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3.4, which targets a one-third reduction in premature mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) by 2030. Cardiovascular diseases are a dominant subset within this domain, and the GBD findings empower policymakers, researchers, and clinicians with actionable intelligence to optimize prevention strategies, clinical management, and health system resource allocation on a global scale.
Understanding the dynamics of cardiovascular disease burden requires not only mortality statistics but also an evaluation of risk factor prevalence, healthcare accessibility, and socioeconomic determinants. The GBD 2023 report integrates metrics such as disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), years lived with disability (YLDs), and risk factor attribution to provide a multidimensional understanding of health loss. This technical rigor enables a sophisticated assessment of how factors like hypertension, tobacco use, unhealthy diet, and physical inactivity contribute to CVD prevalence and outcomes in different regions.
Moreover, the longitudinal data reveal critical insights into the effectiveness of existing healthcare interventions and identify gaps where health systems may be failing vulnerable populations. For instance, suboptimal control of hypertension and inequitable access to secondary prevention therapies remain obstacles in low- and middle-income countries. These findings underscore the necessity of bolstering primary care infrastructure and integrating cardiovascular health promotion into broader health agendas.
The collaboration between JACC and IHME leverages the complementary strengths of clinical cardiology expertise alongside advanced epidemiological modeling and big data analytics. These scholarly institutions are uniquely positioned to bridge research and practice, transforming vast quantities of health information into strategies that drive tangible improvements in cardiovascular outcomes. Their joint stewardship over this event reflects a commitment to disseminating knowledge through peer-reviewed publications and global forums.
For cardiovascular professionals, researchers, and health system leaders, this UNGA side event will serve as a nexus for discussion on translating data into practice. The exchange of evidence-based insights facilitates the development of precision public health approaches tailored to the diverse needs of populations affected by cardiovascular conditions. It also emphasizes the role of innovation in diagnostics, therapeutics, and digital health in addressing the evolving CVD landscape.
The meticulous data presented will also highlight subnational disparities within countries, providing a more nuanced appreciation of health inequities. Urban-rural divides, socioeconomic stratification, and access to quality care emerge as critical variables affecting cardiovascular health outcomes. This enhanced resolution in the GBD 2023 data is invaluable for local governments and health agencies aiming to implement targeted interventions that address specific community needs.
Speakers at the event will include leading epidemiologists, cardiologists, and public health experts who have contributed to the GBD study or are active in cardiometabolic research. Their discussions will contextualize the data within global health policy frameworks and emerging trends such as demographic aging, urbanization, and shifts in risk factor profiles. The exchange will foster collaborative opportunities to prioritize research, funding, and capacity-building initiatives to reduce the global cardiovascular disease burden.
This initiative aligns with the American College of Cardiology’s broader mission to advance cardiovascular care worldwide through education, advocacy, and clinical excellence. Over the past 75 years, the ACC has grown into an influential network of over 60,000 healthcare professionals, supported by its portfolio of peer-reviewed journals collectively known as JACC. These journals disseminate cutting-edge research across the spectrum of cardiovascular science, from basic mechanistic studies to pragmatic clinical trials and health services research.
The ACC’s commitment is demonstrated not only through scholarly publication but also through its global health programs and patient-centered initiatives. By supporting and co-hosting this UNGA side event, the ACC and IHME reinforce their leadership in uniting data science with clinical expertise to shape global cardiovascular health agendas. The resulting insights are anticipated to catalyze progress in prevention, treatment, and health system strengthening—key pillars for mitigating the staggering global toll of cardiovascular disease.
Ultimately, the GBD 2023 study outcomes presented at this forum will provide an empirical foundation for sustained global action against cardiovascular disease, highlighting both achievements and urgent challenges. As new epidemiological evidence emerges, the scientific community, policymakers, and clinicians must continue to adapt and innovate strategies to fulfill international commitments to reduce premature mortality and promote equitable heart health for all populations.
This event echoes a timely and essential moment, positioning cardiovascular disease eradication as not just a medical imperative but a socio-political priority rooted in robust data. By spotlighting comprehensive disease burden estimates and their policy relevance, the JACC and IHME collaboration advances a vital narrative: that data-driven solutions can and must fuel transformative improvements in global cardiovascular health.
Subject of Research: Global cardiovascular disease burden and epidemiological trends based on Global Burden of Disease 2023 study data
Article Title: The Global Burden of CVD: New Insights to Drive Progress
News Publication Date: September 24, 2025
Web References:
- https://www.acc.org/Tools-and-Practice-Support/Quality-Programs/Features/Forums-and-Summits/ACC-at-UNGA2025
- https://www.jacc.org/
- http://www.ACC.org
Keywords: Cardiovascular disease, Health care delivery, Health care costs, Health equity
