Summary of the UN Declaration

Sep 13, 2011 by Loyce Pace Bass (LIVESTRONG Staff)

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Countries have drafted a political declaration developed in advance of the United Nations High-level Meeting on the prevention and control of non-communicable disease. The declaration outlines what countries recognize as the scale of the NCD problem as well as what they agree to do as a collective response. A political declaration at the UN level represents the elevated status of cancer and other noncommunicable diseases on the global health agenda. The declaration will henceforth be part of the official record and dialogue of the UN regarding health and development priorities, ideally resulting in international support similar to that garnered by the HIV/AIDS crisis and Millennium Development Goals. Through the declaration and subsequent summit, advocates around the world now have license to demand specific responses to NCDs at the highest level of their governments.

We are celebrating the recognition by member states of the UN that NCDs and their risk factors are a global problem deserving of a collaborative international response. We applaud the comprehensiveness of their political declaration and, in particular, its references to prevention and treatment, civil society organizations, and health systems. We plan to monitor the implementation of country commitments, particularly by the United States government. We will be participating in a number of LIVESTRONG and partner events in New York during the week of the summit and reiterating this balanced message of successful global leadership to-date and the need for future accountability.?In addition, Lance will be addressing government and civil society representatives at the United Nations during the summit with remarks on international cooperation. Stay tuned for more information about these events and ways you can get involved.

Summary of Declaration

NCD Crisis:

• Notes non-communicable diseases or NCDs (cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes) and their risk factors are a global ?challenge of epidemic proportions?
• Recognizes the health, economic and social factors and impact related to the global NCD burden
• Calls out previous international and regional multi-lateral meetings that have highlighted NCDs
• Acknowledges the need for whole-of-government and multi-sector approaches to address NCDs
• Notes links between NCDs and their risk factors with communicable diseases, and the double or disproportionate burden for disadvantaged, marginalized populations and developing countries

Risk Factors:

• Implementation of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, including tobacco taxation
• Implementation of the WHO strategies on diet and physical activity and harmful use of alcohol
• Promotion of affordable technologies, screening, medicines, and vaccinations to prevent NCDs
• Promotion of private-sector strategies such as reformulation, marketing, and wellness programs
• Promotion of environments and literacy that empower individuals, families, and communities

Health Systems

• Overall strengthening of health systems, drawing on lessons from existing health programs
• Recognition of domestic priorities and the need for applicable planning and budget allocations
• Identification and training of health workers that can provide essential public health and healthcare services as well as develop new medicines and technologies through research
• Efficient procurement and delivery of medicines and technologies that facilitate diagnosis and treatment of NCDs, including the explicit mention of trade-agreement (TRIPS) flexibilities
• Improved surveillance of NCDs and risk factors, and financing for their prevention and control

International Cooperation

• Encourage collaboration across UN agencies (multilateral) and between countries (bilateral)
• Uphold prior health resource commitments and explore innovative funding mechanisms
• Partner with NGOs, industry and other health- or non-health-related civil society as appropriate

Monitoring & Follow-up

• Development of global and national targets and indicators, led by WHO collaborating across UN
• In 2012, develop UN recommendations for multi-sector action and partnership to address NCDs
• In 2014, report progress on addressing NCDs as outlined in this declaration and related to MDGs

More information about the Summit and ways you can get involved are coming soon. Until then, visit faceuptoit.livestrong.org, add your face to the LIVESTRONG mosaic and ask world leaders to “Face Up To” the global health crisis of NCDs.