On February 16, 2018, World Health Organization (WHO) announced a new Independent Global High-level Commission on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), comprising of Heads of states and Ministers, leaders in health and development, and entrepreneurs. The commission's aim is to identify innovative ways to curb the world's biggest causes of death and extend life expectancy for millions of people. The commission will support ongoing political efforts to accelerate action on cardiovascular disease, cancers, diabetes and respiratory diseases, as well as reducing suffering from mental health issues and the impacts of violence and injuries.

NCDs kills 15 million people, between the ages of 30 and 69, each year. Low- and lower-middle income countries are particularly affected by NCDs, with almost 50% of such premature deaths occurring in these countries. WHO's Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) Progress Monitor 2017, which was published last year, has listed countries' plan of actions - to set targets, implement policies, to address four main, shared and modifiable, NCDs risk factors (tobacco, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and harmful use of alcohol) and build capacities to reduce and treat NCDs. It also shows that progress around the world has been uneven and insufficient to control NCDs40.

The need to accelerate action to beat NCDs is high on the global political agenda in 2018, with world leaders expected to participate in the third United Nations General Assembly High-level Meeting on NCDs.

The WHO Independent Global High-level Commission is co-chaired by:

  • Sauli Niinistö, President of Finland
  • Maithripala Sirisena, President of Sri Lanka
  • Tabaré Vázquez, President of Uruguay
  • Veronika Skvortsova, Minister of Healthcare, Russian Federation
  • Sania Nishtar, former Federal Minister of Pakistan and Civil Society leader.

Initial outputs (Phase I) of the Commission will include:

  • Establishing an independent platform to mobilize stakeholders to identify innovative recommendations for accelerating the response on NCDs.
  • Providing actionable recommendations that will contribute to preparations for the Third United Nations General Assembly High-level Meeting on NCDs in 2018. This will include the submission of its first report to the WHO Director-General in May 2018.

 The Commission will define its additional outputs (phase II) after the submission of the first report to the Director- General in May 2018 (end of phase I).

The Commission will convene periodically and will be supported by working groups, knowledge networks, and invited experts. It will hold public hearings and calls for open submissions. The Commission will be supported by a dedicated secretariat at WHO, which will be responsible for the day-to-day work, including the preparation of background materials, organization of consultations and meetings, translation, organizational arrangements, logistics, and communications associated with the work of the Commission41.

Conclusion:

Globally, every 7 out of 10 deaths, are due to NCDs such as diabetes, heart diseases, cancers, arthritis, lung disease etc., the highest contributors to which are tobacco use, harmful use of alcohol, unhealthy diets, and physical inactivity. A commission comprising world leaders is a way to support bold and innovative solutions/ideas to help accelerate prevention and control measures of such leading killers worldwide.

Footnote

 40 http://www.who.int/nmh/publications/ncd-progress-monitor-2017/en/

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