RHD Action is the name given to the global movement to reduce the burden of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) in vulnerable populations of all ages throughout the world. Initiated in September 2014 under the auspices of the UN Every Woman Every Child (EWEC) commitment, this movement will add to ongoing global efforts contributing to the World Health Organization (WHO) and World Heart Federation (WHF) goals to reduce premature mortality by the year 2025. The driving force behind this global movement is the RHD Action founding partners – a coalition of three global organizations – Medtronic Foundation, the World Heart Federation and Reach – working together toward the shared goal of ending RHD. Critically reinforcing this global movement are the RHD Action Countries – a cohort of countries wherein government and partner institutions are actively engaged in achieving specific RHD targets within their geographies, while also strengthening their health systems.
Text of the Declaration signed by partners of the RHD Action movement at the launch in New York, World Heart Day, 2015
“We the undersigned, commit to bring forth our scientific, technical, policy, corporate and humanitarian strengths to tackle the global challenge of rheumatic heart disease. We will work in solidarity with the people who live with, and die of, rheumatic heart disease, their caregivers, the dedicated health professionals who serve them, governments, and impacted communities, worldwide. Together, we believe it is possible to reduce premature mortality from this preventable disease and to consign rheumatic heart disease to the history books.”