The four main NCDs – cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease and diabetes – are chronic, costly, but largely preventable diseases that share common modifiable risk factors. Notable among them are tobacco use and obesity, both of which are becoming increasing problems in low-income countries.
The rising prevalence of NCDs has made them the world’s number one killer, causing 60% of all deaths globally. According to the World Health Organization, a staggering 35 million people die every year from NCDs, of which 18 million are women. Worldwide they represent the biggest threat to women’s health, increasingly affecting women in developing countries during their most productive years.
“Chronic respiratory diseases, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, disproportionately affect women in low-income countries because they have less access to health care and greater exposure to risk factors, such as indoor air pollution from burning solid fuels for cooking, heat and light,” says Dr Nils E Billo, Executive Director of the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union).
“Addressing these diseases requires a different kind of awareness and coordinated effort than a campaign against infectious disease,” says Dr Billo. “Everyone from governments and policy-makers to health workers and the public need to understand the potential impact of NCDs on every aspect of life.”
The cost of NCDs to families and societies are high and escalating, in terms of health care and lost productivity. NCDs are thus a major cause of poverty, a barrier to economic development and a serious threat to the achievement of the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
In 2009, the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon described the global NCD epidemic as a “public health emergency in slow emotion”.
The release of the new publication was scheduled to coincide with the 55th session of the Commission on the Status of Women in New York.
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The NCD Alliance is an alliance of four international federations (International Diabetes Federation, International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, Union for International Cancer Control, World Heart Federation) representing the four main NCDs outlined in the World Health Organization’s 2008-2013 Action Plan for NCDs – cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory disease and diabetes. These conditions share common risk factors (including tobacco use, physical inactivity and unhealthy diets) and also share common solutions, which provide a mutual platform for collaboration and joint advocacy. Together these four federations have 900 member associations in over 170 countries. The NCD Alliance is supported by NGO partners with a strong track record and proven commitment to the objectives of the NCD Alliance, including the Framework Convention Alliance, American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, Livestrong, Norwegian Cancer Society, and the World Lung Foundation. In addition, the Alliance convenes a common Interest Group of over 200 like-minded NGOs. Learn more at www.ncdalliance.org