##  [Our programs](/our-programs "Our programs") 

 ## Our approach

connecting insights, action, and innovation The Novartis Foundation brings together data, technology, and partnerships to reimagine how cities approach health. Our work includes AI4HealthyCities, which identifies the true drivers of health outcomes, and CARDIO4Cities, the proven cardiovascular population health approach, that helps cities translate those data-driven insights into effective, evidence-based action.



 



 ![Business people in a meeting room watching a screen displaying a 3D generated heart](/sites/novartisfoundation_org/files/styles/cta_image/public/2026-02/ourprograms-1-theprocess.jpg.webp?itok=17A54g9A "Business people in a meeting room watching a screen displaying a 3D generated heart") 

 

##  The process 

With [AI4HealthyCities](/our-programs/ai4healthycities "AI4HealthyCities"), we used existing data and advanced analytics to decipher which of the underlying social, economic and environmental determinants (SDOH) mostly predict cardiovascular outcomes, so that we can understand the full picture of heart health within a city. This program ran in New York City, Singapore, Helsinki, Basel and Lisbon and is now being integrated within CARDIO4Cities.

With [CARDIO4Cities](/our-programs/cardio4cities "CARDIO4Cities"), we co-create with local authorities and their partners, locally tailored interventions that focus on accelerating early detection and prompt adequate management of cardiometabolic risk and disease. We then work with communities and other sector players to jointly design the intersectoral actions that can address the most important SDOH.

In both programs, we continuously measure outcomes to refine interventions locally and share insights globally, advancing towards precision population health.



 

 



 





 ![Two ladies walking in a modern city with the skyline in the background](/sites/novartisfoundation_org/files/styles/cta_image/public/2026-02/ourprograms-2-whycities.jpg.webp?itok=KcbWO_r- "Two ladies walking in a modern city with the skyline in the background") 

 

##  Why cities 

More than half of the world’s population lives in cities, and in a few years from now that will be 70%. That makes cities the best places to start addressing the burning issue of our time. While they face challenges to keep up with the needs of rapidly growing and aging populations, they also have proven to be drivers of population health. Cities are where health challenges and opportunities converge. Cities are uniquely positioned to work across sectors, test interventions quickly, and validate innovative solutions and approaches that can shape national health strategies.



 

 



 





 ![Three business people discussing in a meeting room](/sites/novartisfoundation_org/files/styles/cta_image/public/2026-02/ourprograms-3-whatsnext.jpg.webp?itok=CiGlfeGS "Three business people discussing in a meeting room") 

 

##  What’s next 

The next phase of our work — precision population health — is emerging from this foundation. Its exact form will evolve as our partnerships, technologies, and insights mature. For now, it signals a direction rather than a destination: health systems that use predictive analytics to anticipate and prevent disease, powered by responsible AI and collaborative innovation.



 

 



 





 [ 

 ![Crowded city with people crossing the street at sunset](/sites/novartisfoundation_org/files/styles/cards_1_3/public/2026-02/start-teaser-cardio4cities.jpg.webp?itok=UdJ29s-J "Crowded city with people crossing the street at sunset") 

 

###  Cardio4Cities 

CARDIO4Cities is the Novartis Foundation’s flagship approach that supports cities in designing, implementing, and scaling interventions to improve population heart health.

 

 

 ](/our-programs/cardio4cities) [ 

 ![landscape picture of a city skyline with numeric effect on top](/sites/novartisfoundation_org/files/styles/cards_1_3/public/2026-02/start-teaser-ai4healthycities.jpg.webp?itok=dJ__8Ejb "landscape picture of a city skyline with numeric effect on top") 

 

###  AI4HealthyCities 

AI4HealthyCities is our innovation engine that performs the “R&D” to continuously improve CARDIO4Cities and make it a learning approach.

 

 

 ](/our-programs/ai4healthycities) [ 

 ![HCP taking pictures of a patient's condition](/sites/novartisfoundation_org/files/styles/cards_1_3/public/2026-02/ourprograms-teaser-pastprograms.jpg.webp?itok=iVZkWgvF "HCP taking pictures of a patient's condition") 

 

###  Past programs 

For over 40 years, we have evolved from tackling neglected infectious diseases such as leprosy and malaria to now addressing heart disease in urban populations.

 

 

 ](/our-programs/past-programs)