World Heart Day 2026

For World Heart Day 2026 Somerville Heart Foundation aims to raise awareness of Congenital Heart Disease (CHD).

We are really proud to work closely with organisations such as ECHDO and Global Arch to collaborate on projects and learn from each other to better support CHD patients worldwide.

The World Heart Federation states:

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is among the most common birth defects globally, with far‑reaching impacts for individuals with the disease, their families and society and the economy more broadly. In 2023, 2.3 million children were born with CHD worldwide. That same year, 16 million people were estimated to be living with CHD, an increase on the 11.8 million estimated to have CHD three decades ago.

Click here to read the full World Heart Federation report 2026

Somerville Heart Foundation signed the World Health Assembly (WHA) Resolution on Childhood-Onset Heart Disease. This resolution seeks to elevate childhood-onset heart disease as a global health priority and supports the development of national strategies that strengthen diagnosis, treatment and lifelong care.

As a member of Global Arch, we belong to a network of over 140 organisations, clinicians, patients, families, researchers and advocates which are:

United by a shared commitment to advancing equitable access to lifelong care for childhood-onset heart disease, coalition members work collaboratively to influence global health policy, strengthen health systems and improve outcomes for people living with pediatric and congenital heart conditions worldwide.

By uniting with other organisations in this way we are working together to improve support for congenital heart disease patients and understanding what is happening globally not just in the UK.