The American Heart Association announced a new three-year collaboration with the International Federation for Emergency Medicine (IFEM) to advance emergency cardiovascular and resuscitative care globally.

The organizations will work to improve communication, coordination, and resource-sharing across the global emergency care community. The effort will support healthcare professionals from first response through advanced treatment, including training and professional development in resuscitation, cardiac care, and stroke care.

A key focus of the effort is improving access to training, education, and emergency care resources in low- and middle-income countries. The organizations will explore ways to increase access to CPR and emergency cardiovascular care training worldwide.

John Meiners, chief of mission aligned business and healthcare solutions for the American Heart Association, said, "This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to strengthening emergency care systems worldwide and expanding access to evidence-based training and education." He added, "By aligning our efforts, we can help accelerate adoption of best practices and improve survival for patients experiencing life-threatening emergencies."

The organizations will also explore joint research opportunities and global advocacy efforts, as well as opportunities to expand global scientific exchange through joint educational programming and virtual learning. They will align approaches to quality improvement and systems of care, aiming to help clinicians and health systems implement evidence-based practices more consistently across diverse care settings.

Alexander Thompson, chief operating officer at IFEM, said, "Emergency care systems are critical to improving outcomes for patients experiencing life-threatening conditions." Thompson added, "Through this collaboration, we have an opportunity to strengthen education, support clinicians and advance systems of care that improve access to timely, high-quality emergency treatment around the world."