Are we there yet? Steps along the way toward implementing evidence-based heart failure guidelines in middle-income countries.

In September 2011, the United Nations General Assembly met in special session, with 31 heads of state present, to discuss the growing burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) globally. It was only the second time in its 66-year history that the United Nations has had a special session on a health topic. The focus of attention was on the 4 leading causes of mortality, representing 60% of all deaths globally1: cardiovascular diseases (CVD), cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes mellitus. The meeting had 3 round table discussions to focus attention on: (1) the overall health and economic burden of NCDs, (2) developing national capacity for cost-effective and sustainable prevention and treatment of NCDs, and (3) cooperation among nations toward achieving these objectives.