About Us
BackgroundCardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of mortality worldwide, accounting for over 20 million deaths annually. While CVD is often perceived as a disease of older adults, its origins are firmly established early in life. Epidemiologic studies consistently demonstrate that risk factors such as unhealthy diets, sedentary lifestyles, obesity, hypertension, and tobacco use frequently begin in childhood and adolescence. Early exposure to these risk factors not only accelerates atherosclerosis but also tracks strongly into adulthood, increasing the lifetime risk of heart attack, stroke, and premature death. Given this trajectory, focusing on youth offers a unique window of opportunity to disrupt the progression of CVD. Adolescence and young adulthood are formative stages during which lifelong health behaviors are shaped. Moreover, cost-effectiveness analyses suggest that early interventions targeting youth yield greater long-term benefits than those initiated in middle or older age, underscoring prevention during youth as both a clinical and economic imperative.
Beyond being recipients of interventions, young people themselves are critical agents of change in cardiovascular health promotion. With over 2.5 billion people under the age of 35 globally, youth represent not only the largest demographic in history but also a highly connected, innovative, and mobilized cohort. They bring unique perspectives, harness digital tools with fluency, and have the credibility to influence peers, families, and communities. Empowering youth to take leadership roles in designing and implementing CVD prevention strategies creates a multiplier effect: young leaders can champion healthier lifestyles, advocate for policy change, and drive technological innovation that resonates with their generation and beyond. The World Youth Heart Federation (WYHF) was founded in 2020 to mobilize and empower people under the age of 35 from diverse fields to work collaboratively toward improving cardiovascular health worldwide.
