Yusuf to take leadership position in World Heart Federation
Hello, Mr. President. Dr. Salim Yusuf of the of the Population Health Research Institute (PHRI) will assume the top seat at the World Heart Federation in two years. The research organization is based in Switzerland.
Dr. Salim Yusuf, professor of medicine in the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine and scientific director of the Population Health Research Institute (PHRI), is taking a leadership role in the World Heart Federation.
Yusuf has been voted in as president elect, and will assume the role in January, 2015. Based in Switzerland, the World Heart Federation works to prevent and control diseases that kill 17.3 million people each year – 80 per cent in the developing world. The Federation is recognized by the World Health Organization as its leading non-government organization (NGO) partner in cardiovascular disease prevention.
At the PRHI, Yusuf has established an international program of research in cardiovascular disease and prevention involving 85 countries. His pioneering work has identified that the majority of cardiovascular diseases are attributable to a few common risk factors, and are similar in impact worldwide.
Yusuf said: “Governments have started to recognize the enormity of the problem posed by non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, affecting individuals and economies. We can have a very large impact worldwide through developing global capacity to implement evidence-based practices in prevention. I am committed to working together to realize the vision that within two decades we can cut the cardiovascular burden by more than half.”
John Kelton, dean and vice-president, Faculty of Health Sciences, said: “Salim Yusuf’s important population health research in cardiovascular concerns has already had significant world-wide impact, and he is an excellent choice for a leadership role at the global level.”
Murray Martin, President and CEO of Hamilton Health Sciences, said: “Dr. Yusuf’s leadership as vice-president of research at Hamilton Health Sciences has propelled us forward to be now ranked as the most impactful research hospital in Canada, and seventh in the world. His presidency will be a tremendous asset to the World Heart Federation.”
