The Colours to Save Hearts programme in Maputo, Mozambique had to be paused temporarily during the COVID-19 pandemic. However the local team, led by Dr Ana Mocumbi, was still able to provide training on rheumatic heart disease symptoms and prevention for a number of teachers. Download the new version of the colouring book, follow the team on their dedicated Facebook and Instagram platforms and donate now to support the programme.

"I ate to forget, to feel better, to switch off from a world that hates me". Desi, a woman living with obesity in Bulgaria, reflects on her complicated relationship with her body in 'From small steps to systemic shifts', our new film produced by BBC StoryWorks Commercial Productions. The film is part of the Facing Forward campaign, a series developed by NCD Alliance to highlight the stories of people who are living with noncommunicable diseases across the globe.

On 1 October, WHO published the new edition of its Model Lists of Essential Medicines and Essential Medicines for Children, which include insulin analogues and new oral medicines for diabetes, and new medicines to assist people who want to stop smoking. In early 2021, following consultation with the WHF Tobacco Expert Group, WHF issued a letter to support the Pfizer application for the addition of Varenicline to the lists. This application was successful and there is a mention of the addition of Varenicline in the WHO press release.

Global health expert and WHF Emerging Leader Professor Mariachiara Di Cesare (2018 cohort) has been appointed Founding Director of the new Institute for Public Health and Wellbeing at the University of Essex. The Institute will open in February 2022 and will provide a unique hub to support policymakers, health providers and frontline health professionals in their efforts to improve health and tackle inequalities across the globe. Congratulations Mariachiara! 

Prof Garry Jennings, CEO of WHF Member Australian Heart Foundation, attended the 1st ever WHO Regional Office Health Futures Forum. This three-day virtual event brought together WHO Western Pacific’s Member States, partners and stakeholders to anticipate how we want to see well-being and health systems in the region in the future.

From 22-23 November, the Global Heart Hub is bringing together the cardiovascular patient community from across the world for its first annual Unite Summit. This virtual conference will take place over two half days, with the aim of uniting cardiovascular patients and patient advocates on matters of importance to the community.

WHF Emerging Leader Abhishek Sharma and co-author Warren Kaplan have published a paper in the journal Science on the limited physical availability of various forms of insulin. By mapping insulin imports to its in-country need, the paper focuses on discussing the in-country health system barriers that constrain insulin availability and delivery, and puts forth recommendations. 

Millions of people with diabetes around the world do not have access to diabetes care. Join the International Diabetes Federation on World Diabetes Day, 14 November, to celebrate the centenary of the discovery of insulin and help ask for meaningful change for the more than 460 million people living with diabetes.

World Children’s Day was established in 1954 and is celebrated on 20 November each year to promote international togetherness, awareness among children worldwide, and the improvement of children's welfare. This year, kids will reimagine a better world. What will you do?