Non-communicable and Chronic Disease Initiative

Non-communicable and chronic diseases (NCDs) present tremendous challenges to health and development in the 21st Century. NCDs, the leading cause of death worldwide, are a threat to public health systems and economies everywhere.

The four major NCDs are cancers, cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes, and they all share the same risk factors — tobacco, alcohol, physical inactivity and unhealthy diets;

Despite the growing recognition and understanding of the total health and economic burden of NCDs, limited attention and resources are directed toward addressing the needs of people affected by these diseases, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. In addition, NCDs are currently the focus of only a subset of key stakeholders and are not incorporated into broader health and development initiatives, such as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the U.S. Global Health Initiative (GHI);

Consistent with the WHO’s Action Plan, the Council highlights the importance of addressing global and national policies, research priorities, strategic communications, program integration, and understanding the burden of disease. The Global Health Council supports a two-prong approach to addressing NCD challenges in developing countries;

Populations are aging and living longer; globalization is expanding markets, altering production and consumption patterns and expanding the reach of information and marketing; and urbanization is altering lifestyles and diets. These transitions are all contributing to an increasing burden of NCDs, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where more than 80 percent of deaths from NCDs occur.

To respond effectively, infectious disease-focused programs must be adapted to build capacity for dealing with NCDs and reflecting the double burden of disease. In addition, non-health sectors and stakeholders influence health outcomes associated with NCDs - must be factored into any sustainable plan of action.

For more information about the Global Health Council's NCD Initiative, contact Craig Moscetti.

Addressing Gaps in Policy and Research for Non-Communicable Disease - February 9 2012
(All videos are audio-only)

More information about GHC's work will be added soon.

Advocacy and Policy Communication - develop strategies to incorporate NCDs into the global health agenda and to advance the policy and communications agenda.

Activities will focus on: articulating policy positions on implementation gaps, monitoring commitments and outcomes, developing messages promoting NCD work, engaging civil society, and expanding the scope of the NCD Roundtable.

Research and Policy Analysis – examine the community-level impact of NCDs in the context of other health challenges and analyze potential policy measures.

Activities will focus on: incorporating the voices of community leaders and stakeholders into the global dialogue, understanding how NCDs relate to other health and development issues, and highlighting pragmatic and effective solutions.