Novartis AG (NYSE: NVS) announced plans to expand its community health programs targeting heart disease and cancer from 11 to more than 30 countries by 2030. The pharmaceutical company said the expansion addresses slowing progress against chronic diseases in many countries.

The expansion includes three programs. Inclusive Health Accelerators will launch this week in five U.S. cities - New York, Los Angeles, Detroit, Houston, and Baltimore - focusing on breast and prostate cancer care through disease awareness, screening access, and care referrals. Community Health Initiatives, currently operating in Vietnam, Rwanda, and Bolivia, will expand to at least 10 low- and middle-income countries to accelerate heart disease and cancer diagnosis and treatment.

The third program, CARDIO4Cities, developed by the Novartis Foundation, uses real-time data to help cities improve heart health. Currently operational in eight countries including Brazil, the U.S., Belgium, Portugal, Finland, Brunei, Singapore, and Australia, it plans to reach 23 countries by 2030.

"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."

Each program involves partnerships with local organizations, health authorities, and private businesses to increase access to prevention and early detection services. The company cited a partnership in rural Vietnam that doubled high blood pressure control rates. CARDIO4Cities demonstrated three- to six-fold increases in hypertension control with reductions in stroke and heart attack rates within one to two years of implementation.