The American Heart Association has issued a science advisory calling for stronger international coordination on Kawasaki disease, saying shared research, earlier diagnosis and more consistent care could reduce heart complications and disparities worldwide.
The American Heart Association has issued a new science advisory calling for international collaboration to improve outcomes for children with Kawasaki disease, a condition that can lead to serious heart complications if not diagnosed and treated quickly.
The advisory, published May 18, 2026 in the Journal of the American Heart Association, says coordinated research, diagnosis and treatment are needed to reduce disparities in care around the world.
AHA summary material says delayed diagnosis remains a major barrier, especially in lower-resource settings. The organization says better global coordination could help doctors recognize the disease earlier and improve access to appropriate care.
Kawasaki disease is an inflammatory illness that primarily affects children. The AHA said the goal of the advisory is to align international efforts so more patients receive timely diagnosis and treatment, lowering the risk of coronary complications.
The advisory was also highlighted on AHA news and science pages the same day it was published, and medical-news coverage echoed the call for broader cooperation.
The AHA is urging researchers and clinicians to work across borders on evidence, protocols and care standards as part of a broader push to improve outcomes worldwide.
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