Thomas Cueni writes: It’s often hard to see progress when the realities surrounding you are bleak: non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the world’s biggest killer, responsible for around 70 percent of global deaths. Each year some 40 million people die of such chronic diseases as cardiovascular failure, cancer, respiratory illnesses and diabetes: the four main killers. Tragically, they take the lives of as many as 15 million people in their most productive period, between 25 and 65. Worse, many of these deaths are entirely preventable. Prevention and innovation are the two key weapons in the fight against NCDs. Continue reading ->
NEW YORK -- The United Nations General Assembly is meeting today for the Third High-Level Meeting on Noncommunicable Diseases, and has adopted an ambitious political declaration, entitled “Time to Deliver: Accelerating our response to address NCDs for the health and well-being of present and future generations.” Continue reading ->
After falling short of achieving commitments made at the first and second United Nations high-level meetings on noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in recent years, the third high-level meeting on NCDs taking place next week presents an opportunity for world leaders to either step up their response, or risk falling further behind, according to stakeholders. Continue reading ->
Cancer is rising and is expected to become the leading cause of global deaths in the 21st century, according to experts from a World Health Organization research agency on cancer. Lung cancer is the most common and the leading cause of cancer deaths, the agency found in its newly published study, the first since 2012. However, political commitment lags behind when it comes to prevention, speakers said at a press briefing at the UN in Geneva today. Continue reading ->
Some 60 percent more Africans die from cancer than malaria, and the number of cancer deaths is expected to increase almost 70% by 2030, according to experts. Breast, cervical, prostate, lymphoma and colorectal constitute the top five cancers diagnosed on the continent. In order to address this emerging cancer crisis, the African Access Initiative (AAI) was launched over a year ago. Continue reading ->
The president of Senegal has called on African leaders to increase their investment of resources into health. Continue reading ->
Faced with the growing challenge of lifestyle diseases - already the second biggest killers in Kenya after HIV/AIDS, with cardiovascular diseases leading in the category - the government recently launched guidelines for cardiovascular disease management. Continue reading ->
In his first annual letter since taking office in July last year, the director-general of the World Health Organization has outlined the importance of political commitment, a key to success to – finally – achieve health for all. Continue reading ->
Bloomberg Philanthropies has named the organisations to lead a new $20 million global tobacco industry watchdog, STOP (Stopping Tobacco Organisations and Products), to counter tobacco industry influence and reduce tobacco use. Continue reading ->
Access to powerful painkillers, usually based on opioid substances, is a crucial part of progress towards tackling NCDs, according to the International Narcotics Control Board (INCB), a UN quasi-judicial body that is concerned with enforcing three global drug control conventions. Continue reading ->