Novartis Targets 30+ Countries By 2030 With Expanded Access To Cancer And Heart Care, Expands Global Community Health Programs

Novartis has announced a major expansion of its global initiatives to improve access to care for heart disease and cancer in underserved communities. As progress against chronic diseases slows in many regions, the company plans to scale its community health programs from 11 to more than 30 countries by 2030, targeting low-income, rural, and hard-to-reach populations.

A key part of this effort includes the launch of Inclusive Health Accelerators (IHAs) in five U.S. cities, New York, Los Angeles, Detroit, Houston, and Baltimore. These community-based programs focus on improving awareness, screening, and follow-up care for breast and prostate cancer, particularly among underserved populations. Alongside this, Community Health Initiatives (CHIs) will expand across at least 10 low- and middle-income countries to accelerate diagnosis and treatment of heart disease and cancer.

“We are going further to bring heart disease and cancer care to communities falling through the gaps in health systems,” said Michelle Weese, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Novartis. “With progress slowing against chronic disease in many countries, and millions missing out on potential treatment, there is an urgent need for new, sustainable solutions to improve access to care.”

The company is also scaling Novartis Foundation’s CARDIO4Cities program, which uses real-time data and AI to improve cardiovascular health outcomes. Already active in cities such as São Paulo, New York City, and Singapore, the initiative aims to expand to 23 countries by 2030, helping cities enhance prevention, early detection, and management of cardiometabolic diseases.

Across all programs, Novartis will collaborate with local stakeholders, including community groups, health authorities, and private partners, to strengthen early detection, improve referral systems, and ensure timely treatment. These initiatives are designed to reduce healthcare disparities while advancing more accessible and community-driven care models worldwide.