Geneva – With the UN High-Level Summit on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) opening in 100 days, the NCD Alliance today called on all those concerned to make themselves heard by heads of state and health decision makers. Launching a campaign called ‘100 Days of Action’ in preparation for the UN Summit on NCDs, to be held in New York on 19-20 September 2011, the NCD Alliance is encouraging a high turnout by heads of government at the Summit.

Coming ten years after the UN General Assembly on HIV/AIDS, the UN Summit on NCDs provides an extraordinary opportunity to unite the global community in addressing this serious threat to health and development. Once viewed as a problem of developed countries, NCDs now affect both rich and poor, increasingly hit people in their productive years resulting in high economic costs to society.

100 Days of Action – Countdown to the UN Summit on NCDs

The leaders of the founding partners of the NCD Alliance have joined together in this call for 100 Days of Action. Professor Jean Claude Mbanya, President of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) said, “NCDs were responsible for 63% of all global deaths in 2008. This is not just a statistic, it is the deaths of 36 million people.

With the incidence of NCDs predicted to rise by 17% over the next ten years worldwide, we must work together to ensure it is world leaders who attend the Summit and agree to a concrete set of commitments that will result in sustained action. “We believe that the integration of NCDs into national and international development agendas is imperative, particularly for low- and middle-income countries,” added Dr. Eduardo Cazap, President of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC).

“Global actions must focus special attention on vulnerable populations. The UN Summit is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to put NCDs on the global development agenda.” Sidney C. Smith, Jr, MD, President of the World Heart Federation, continued, “The NCD Alliance, with its network of more than 1500 organisations, is actively engaged in the lead up to the UN Summit in September. Do not wait until the UN Summit to communicate with decision makers. If thousands of people unite around the same points in the next 100 days, we will influence the outcomes document and ensure a successful UN Summit.”

“Whether you are a member of a civil society organisation or simply a concerned citizen, you can make your voice heard. Unlike many infectious diseases, we have the knowledge to prevent and treat NCDs. Addressing NCDs is a matter of committing the resources we already have, and ensuring that they are used to best advantage for those who currently have least access to NCD prevention and treatment, namely the poor,” concluded Dr. S Bertel Squire, President of the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union). “We must use this Summit to urge world leaders to take action now on NCDs, to end the suffering and to forge a healthier future for all.”

“The next few weeks are crucial as the Outcomes Document for the UN Summit is being drafted and negotiations are taking place on the potential outcomes,” said Téa Collins, Executive Director of the NCD Alliance. “The NCD Alliance urges you to say loud and clear that neglect of NCDs is an outrage.”

NCD Alliance members are making a difference in hundreds of ways in the next 100 days – such as advocating to heads of government through face-to-face meetings and open letters with thousands of signatories, communicating via social media platforms, using online petitions, encouraging NCD survivors to speak out, launching new videos and hosting specific events such as at next week’s Global Health Council Conference in Washington and during the UN Civil Society Informal Interactive Hearing on Non-communicable Diseases.

For more information about how to become involved in the NCD Alliance 100 Days of Action please see whatcanyoudo

The NCD Alliance’s Ten Asks from the UN Summit on NCDs

From the NCD Alliance Proposed Outcomes document the Alliance highlights the following ten desired outcomes from the upcoming UN Summit:

1. Commit to a whole-of-government response through costed national plans for NCD prevention and treatment

2. Establish an NCDs Partnership, linked to WHO, to coordinate follow up action with member states, other UN and multilateral agencies, foundations, NGOs and private sector

3. Increase national and international resources for NCD prevention and treatment

4. Include NCDs in future global health and development goals

5. Accelerate implementation of Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC)

6. Reduce dietary salt, sugar, saturated and trans-fats and harmful use of alcohol

7. Implement strategies to encourage physical activity and improve diet

8. Strengthen health systems through integration of NCD prevention and treatment

9. Increase access to affordable, quality-assured essential medicines and technologies to prevent and treat cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease and diabetes, including vaccines and palliative care

10. Establish a high level Accountability Commission on NCDs with cross sector representation to monitor Summit commitments.

About the NCD Alliance www.ncdalliance.org

The NCD Alliance leads the global civil society movement against premature death and preventable illness and disability from NCDs, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease and diabetes. The NCD Alliance builds coalitions, develops consensus, produces evidence and advocates for solutions to the NCD crisis. Founding partners of the NCD Alliance include the International Diabetes Federation, the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, the Union for International Cancer Control and the World Heart Federation. Together, these federations represent some 900 member associations in over 170 countries and territories worldwide. The Alliance’s Proposed Outcomes Document for the UN Summit can be found at (www.ncdalliance.org). Contact: Janice Blondeau +41 22 809 1870 [email protected] twitter #ncds #100days