Fifteen Years of Advancing Cardiovascular Rehabilitation in Low-Resource Settings through the International Council of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation (ICCPR) and a Look Ahead

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with a particular burden in middle-income countries (MICs). Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a secondary prevention model resulting in reduced CV mortality, morbidity, cost-effectively. However, CR is under-utilized globally, especially in MICs due to structural, social, and economic barriers. The International Council of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation (ICCPR) is a World Heart Federation-affiliated umbrella association founded ~15 years ago, now comprised of 50 Associations and 30 champions in countries without CR societies. ICCPR addresses delivery challenges through: CR guidelines tailored for MICs, the Global CR Audit to support advocacy, the International CR Registry (ICRR), Program Certification to support service quality, multi-disciplinary provider training (CR Foundations Certification; CRFC), women-focused CR initiatives, and partnerships with the World Health Organization. ICCPR continues to foster global CR accessibility through collaboration, communication, as well as research and advocacy with their upcoming Global CR Audit Update.