American Journal of Preventive Cardiology · Aug 10, 2026

From awareness to accountability: implementing the women's heart health action agenda in preventive cardiology

By Jones JL, Walker SA, Dé A et al.

Despite major advances in cardiovascular medicine, women continue to experience persistent inequities in cardiovascular prevention, diagnosis and long-term management. The Women's Heart Health Action Agenda represents a shift from describing these inequities to identifying how they can be addressed through coordinated action across policy, health systems, workforce development, research and public engagement. In this commentary, we discuss the implications of the Action Agenda for preventive cardiology, arguing that improving women's cardiovascular outcomes requires implementation of life-course prevention pathways that routinely incorporate female-specific cardiovascular risk enhancers, strengthen multidisciplinary collaboration, embed patient partnership and empower women as active participants in their care. We propose practical opportunities for preventive cardiology to translate evidence into routine practice through health-system redesign, accountability and measurable action. Ultimately, improving women's cardiovascular outcomes will depend not on greater awareness alone, but on moving from awareness to accountability and from evidence to implementation.

doi.org/10.1016/j.ajpc.2026.101787Open accessPubMed 42997640Industry & policy