Taking action: European Atherosclerosis Society targets the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030 agenda to fight atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in Europe

In 2015, the United Nations launched the Sustainable Development Goals 2030 Agenda as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and improve the lives and prospects for all [1]. The 17 goals of this Agenda, adopted by all United Nations (UN) member states, are to be delivered within 15 years. As only 10 years remain, accelerated action is needed, with world leaders calling for a Decade of Action in 2019 to achieve these goals. According to the UN Secretary-General, urgent action is needed on three levels: 1) globally, to secure greater leadership, more resources and smarter solutions; 2) locally, to ensure smooth transition in policies, budgets, institutions and regulatory frameworks of governments, cities and local authorities; and 3) societally, to ensure an unstoppable movement of change by targeting all stakeholders. Inaccordance with its mission, the European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS) has committed itself to the Sustainable Development Goals 2030 Agenda and will act on all three levels. Of paramount importance for the EAS is the third goal of the Sustainable Development 2030 Agenda, Good Health and Well-Being. Ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being—for all genders, ethnicities, social classes, and ages—with universal access to healthcareis crucial, since low socioeconomic status is an important risk factor foratherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Yet in 2017, less than half of the global population received essential healthcare services, and this is not likely to change much by 2030. Furthermore, the EAS should contemplate how to help develop screening and implementation for primary care in low income countries. Combatting newly described environmental risk factors, such as air pollution and noise, is also becoming important. A key target of the Good Health and Well-Being goal is reducing by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable disease (NCD),the major cause of death globally [2–5]. Preventing, treating and promoting mental health and well-being, particularly in lower- and middle-income (LMI) countries are essential. Early detection and management of determinants of health, and support for research, development, and access to medicines for NCDs that primarily affect these countries are needed. Legacy and succession planning ensure sustainability; expanding scholarships to developing countries, particularly under-resourced areas such as sub-Saharan Africa, is one approach to this.