Introduction
Cities@Heart is a major new European initiative tackling heart health and health inequality across urban populations. It brings together 34 international partners to design and implement evidence‑based strategies that improve the prevention, detection and management of cardiovascular disease in seven cities across Europe. The project aims to ensure that every citizen, regardless of background, gender, poverty or disability, can access better cardiovascular care.
Launched in January 2026 and funded by the EU’s Innovative Health Initiative, Cities@Heart will pilot a coordinated, whole‑city approach in seven European cities, targeting key risk factors such as obesity, high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol and diabetes.
How Cities@Heart Works
The project embeds new health technologies and co‑develops solutions with communities, clinicians, policymakers and city councils to drive long‑term, equitable improvements in cardiovascular health. Led by the University Medical Center Utrecht, the University of Birmingham and Novartis, the consortium includes public, private and third‑sector partners as well as the World Health Organisation Healthy Cities Network.
Successful strategies will be scalable across Europe, helping to reduce avoidable deaths and lessen the significant societal and economic burden of cardiovascular disease. If you would like to find out more, click this text to visit the Cities@Heart website.