United Nations Meeting to Develop a Global Strategy for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases

By Cynthia Hallett, MPH, ATOD chair-elect and executive director of Americans for Nonsmokers’ Rights

On Sept. 19 and 20, New York City hosted a high-level meeting of the General Assembly of the United Nations to discuss a global strategy for the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases, or NCDs. According to the World Health Organization, this was a unique opportunity for the international public health community to adopt measures against the epidemic to save millions of lives.

There are four major groups of NCDs that have been identified by WHO as the main threat to human health: cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases. NCDs are the leading cause of death and morbidity in the world, and are responsible for 60 percent of total deaths and 44 percent of premature deaths worldwide (35 million deaths each year, of which 80 percent occur in low- and middle-income countries). According to WHO data, NCD-related deaths will increase 17 percent worldwide over the next 10 years. In 2008, cancer alone killed 7.6 million people, more than HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis combined. Despite this situation, the prevention and treatment of NCDs receive only 0.5 percent of the funds allocated to global assistance for development initiatives. A number of high ranking U.S. public health and legislative officials attended the Summit, as did many guests, including APHA’s Executive Director Dr. Georges Benjamin.

One of the primary causes of these four NCDs is tobacco use, and secondhand smoke exposure is also related. The international tobacco control community has organized a number of awareness events and meetings to keep tobacco use reduction and smokefree laws on the agenda as effective means to reduce NCDs. In fact, WHO refers to smokefree laws as a “best buy” to reduce exposure and improve health.

It will be important for the public health community, particularly those of us working on ATOD issues, to continue to push for programs, legislation and treatment options to reduce NCDs and improve public health in the United States and abroad. The ATOD Section encourages all of its members to think about how to get involved and/or use the findings from the Summit to draw awareness and support for your public health initiatives.