Magdalena Daccord, CEO of the FH Europe Foundation, has been selected by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as an expert member of the Guideline Development Group (GDG) on dyslipidaemia.
She will contribute strictly in her individual and independent capacity, in full accordance with WHO rules, and not on behalf of any organisation.
The WHO, the United Nations agency responsible for global public health, has launched the development of a new global guideline on the management of dyslipidaemia for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease.
WHO guidelines are not legally binding, but they do carry significant global influence. Their impact comes from their role in setting international standards and shaping national policies and clinical practice, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The degree to which countries adopt WHO guidelines depends on the strength of the evidence, the clarity of the recommendations, and how well these align with national priorities and health systems. While WHO cannot enforce implementation, its authority as a global health body and the high uptake of strong recommendations give its guidelines considerable weight worldwide.
The forthcoming guidelines will focus exclusively on adults aged 40+, reflecting WHO’s mandate to address cardiovascular risk in mid-life and older populations.
However, early expert exchanges already highlight a crucial truth: For inherited (genetic) lipid disorders—such as familial hypercholesterolaemia—screening and detection must begin as early in life as possible.
Early diagnosis has a lifelong impact on cardiovascular outcomes, and we hope future global recommendations will reflect this essential need.
FHEF is also proud to note the selection of two exceptional lipid experts with strong ties to our community: Prof. Jeanine Roeters van Lennep and Prof. Kirsten Holven.
Their expertise significantly strengthens the scientific foundation of this important global effort.
Biographies of the proposed members of the Guideline Development Group (GDG) are available here.