NCD Alliance

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) - mainly cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer and chronic respiratory disease - are not just one of the world’s most pressing health concerns but also a significant development challenge. They impede social and economic development and are driven by underlying social, economic, political, environmental and cultural factors, broadly known as ‘social determinants’.

Working alongside specialist health partners, actors outside the health sector are uniquely well positioned to address the social determinants of NCDs.

World Cancer Research Fund International released two new publications.

Launched on October 11 2012, this is the second year we celebrate this special day  dedicated to promoting girls' human rights, highlight gender inequalities that remain between girls and boys and address the various forms of discrimination and abuse suffered by girls around the world.

In his closing remarks recapping the General Debate of the 68th Session of the UN General Assembly, President of the UN General Assembly John Ashe recognized Member States' calls to include NCDs in the future development agenda. 

"Throughout the week, a number of items were mentioned that countries wish to see in our
new agenda including...health care including maternal care, non-communicable
diseases, and the fight against HIV-AIDS, among others."

On the 2nd Anniversary of the UN High-Level Meeting on the Prevention and Control of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) Chelsea Clinton made an appearance on Jon Stewart's Daily Show discussing her commitment to the fight against NCDs.

At the 31st Meeting of Health Ministers of the WHO South-East Asia Region, SEARO Health Ministers adopted the 'New Delhi Declaration on High Blood Pressure' recognizing that an integrated strategy that addresses multiple NCD risk factors is needed to ensure a sustainable and affordable response to tackle high blood pressure.

Hypertension affects one out of three adults in the South-East Asia Region and increases the risk of heart disease, stroke and kidney failure, contributing to premature death and disability.

MoH Jonas Gahrs Store launched the NCD strategy with the NCD alliance. From left: Lisbet Rugtvedt Secretary General of the NorwegianHealth Association; Anne Lise Ryel, Secretary General of the Norwegian Cancer Society, MoH Jonas Gahr Støre, Nina Skille, Secretary General of the Norwegian Diabetes Association and Frode Jahren, Secretary General of The Norwegian Heart and Lung Patient Organization (MoH).

From our National NCD Alliance in Norway-

What is World Heart Day?

World Heart Day is celebrated on 29 September each year.

HealthBridge has produced a new guide on lessons from tobacco control for NCD prevention. The guide, 'Broadening the Focus from Tobacco Control to NCD Prevention: Enabling Environments for Better Health', focuses on policy intervention that lead to creating enabling environments for the prevention of NCDs.

To access the guideline please click here

The recently released report document the prevalence of NCDs in the Latin America and the Caribbean region, especially among the youth.

Some of the key findings include: