- Providing the most up to date statistics on CVD in Europe (including a cost of disease study in the EU) and analysing these data
- Identifying the most effective and cost effective CVD prevention policies
- Predicting future CHD trends
- Sharing knowledge on nutrition, physical activity and the prevention of cardiovascular diseases in Europe
- Building capacity in the cardiovascular patients` community

CVD is the main cause of death and a major cause of disability in Europe. 80% can be prevented. Small reductions in incidence and mortality: lead to large health gains; reductions in direct and indirect health care costs. CVD: costs the EU economy € 192 billion/year; is the main contributor to inequalities in health; health gains will particularly benefit less-advantaged groups. EuroHeart II will: act on EU policy documents on CVD; follow up on EuroHeart I: build on the WHO Europe document ‘Gaining health - Analysis of policy development in European countries for tackling noncommunicable diseases’; contribute to the programme by providing data in an easily accessible format; informing policy makers by offering tools to support selection of most (cost) effective CVD prevention policies; allow knowledge-sharing (e.g. on nutrition & physical activity); build capacity in the NGO community involved in CVD prevention; evaluate the impact of the joint diabetes/CVD guidelines.

A partnership of academia, research centres, NGOs and health professionals has been established to achieve the objectives of EuroHeart II. A steering committee will be established to ensure implementation of the work packages as well as facilitate communication between the work package leaders. The steering committee will be supported by an external advisory board with representatives from WHO and the European Commission to maximise synergies. Representatives from national health ministries will be invited to European, regional and national meetings.
Specific objectives will be achieved through research, interviews, conferences and workshops and collection of clinical data. Research results will be made available in reports (in print and on relevant websites) and at meetings with partners and stakeholders.

• allowing decision makers to develop CVD prevention policies based on the most up- to-data statistical and economic data, analyses and scientific impact models;
• empower wider stakeholders groups to assess and address the situation in their countries
• help empowering the CVD NGO sector to have a larger impact on health related nutrition and physical activity policy in their countries through conferences and meetings presenting the latest evidence;
• assist in strengthening the impact of the CVD patient community in the decision making process through sharing of knowledge and experience;
• contribute to improving the outcome of diabetic patients with CVD through providing information on practice characteristics related to the implementation of the diabetic guideline and changes in health outcomes and comparing countries in Europe where the guideline has been extensively disseminated and those countries where the guideline has been poorly disseminated