The Member States of the United Nations reaffirmed their commitment to reduce the avoidable burden of NCDs

The Member States of the United Nations reaffirmed their commitment to reduce the avoidable burden of NCDs -

UN member states reaffirmed their commitment to take bold steps to reduce the preventable burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). These conditions, including heart disease and stroke, cancer, diabetes and lung diseases kill 38 million people each year, many of them before they reach the age of 70. Most of these largely preventable deaths occur in developing countries, where the epidemic threatens to undermine economic and social development. States

members, met for the second time in 3 years at the United Nations in New York to discuss the issue, has promised to step up efforts to fight against the growing threat of NCDs . They acknowledged that progress has been too slow and uneven since 2011, when the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Political Declaration and pledged to better protect the lives of their populations.

"Success [in combating NCDs] depend on finding new ways to strengthen the capacity of countries to take bolder steps,"

Secretary General Ban Ki-moon

"three years ago we agreed that it is time for action," said Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in a message. "the global epidemic NCD is a major challenge and more development. "

He also noted that" success depends on finding new ways to strengthen the capacity of countries to adopt bolder measures " calling for strong leadership and action by governments, the private sector and others.

Under the leadership of WHO, the international community agreed in 2011 on global mechanisms, including a global plan of action against NCDs. The plan aims to reduce the number of premature deaths from NCDs by 25% by 2025, in part by taking into account factors such as tobacco use, harmful use of alcohol, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity increase the risk of developing these diseases people.

UN support to developing countries

United Nations, through an interagency working group created by the Secretary-General, provides support to developing countries. Civil society, academia and the private sector contribute to the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases worldwide through a global coordination mechanism, and achievements are measured by a set of common indicators.

"The obesity epidemic has been getting worse, not better, for more than 3 decades," said the Director-General Dr Margaret Chan. "The industry's practices, particularly marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages to children, play a contributory role. "

She noted that section in the policy statement calling for collaboration with the private sector "has not been fully implemented. Healthier food formulations are neither affordable nor accessible in large parts of the developing world. Unfortunately, unhealthy foods are generally the cheapest and most convenient. "

New WHO country profiles NCD give detailed picture

the most recent country profiles WHO NCD give a detailed picture of the situation in 194 Member States and to identify gaps and existing weaknesses. They also indicate that countries must do more to reduce the number of deaths and NCDs disease. As one of the results of the New York meeting WHO will establish a framework for local actions in collaboration with partners. WHO was also requested to establish systems to record and publish contributions from the private sector, charities and civil society in the achievement of voluntary targets 9 Global Action Plan against NCDs.

The first high-level UN General Assembly

on NCDs held in 2011 and resulted in the adoption of a Political Declaration which set the NCD high development program . In 2018, the UN General Assembly will convene a third high-level meeting to review progress.