Legally binding policies on tobacco control, NCD prevention and responding COVID-19 must be created and implemented for greater transparency, accountability, monitoring and enforcement in order to achieve good health for all.
In addition to The Union’s statement at the 73rd World Health Assembly (WHA), taking place virtually this week, The Union is pleased to support the statement submitted by the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Civil Society Working Group on Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs).
NCDs including diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer and heart disease have been identified as posing additional risks for those who contract the novel coronavirus and develop COVID-19.
Several high-profile studies have also identified smokers as being at additional risk of developing a more serious form of COVID-19.
Dr Tara Singh Bam, Deputy Director of The Union Asia Pacific Office, is a member of the 36 strong group, which draws its membership from across the NCD spectrum.
Amongst other calls, the Statement includes a call for particularly harmful products, such as tobacco and alcohol, to be declared non-essential within pandemic responses with restrictions on availability and marketing.
“Legally binding policies on tobacco control, NCD prevention and responding COVID-19 must be created and implemented for greater transparency, accountability, monitoring and enforcement in order to achieve good health for all,” said Dr Tara Singh Bam.
The Statement calls for:
- a renewed focus on the prevention and treatment of NCDs in the light of the coronavirus pandemic
- continued treatment of and care for people with NCDs during the pandemic
- NCDs to feature in national preparedness plans for future health emergencies
The statement in full:
WHO Civil Society Working Group on NCDs WHA73 Statement:
The 36 members of the WHO Civil Society Working Group on NCDs commend the World Health Organization and Dr Tedros for his leadership as the world grapples with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. An empowered, well-resourced WHO is essential to lead governments, other stakeholders, and people through these trying times.
The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated more than ever the need for resilient health systems, especially ones that are equipped to respond to the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). NCDs and their risk factors are exerting a heavy toll on health systems around the world, draining scarce resources even though they are largely preventable. The current public health crisis illustrates that health promotion is essential both for health emergency preparedness and sustainability of health systems, as is universal health coverage that ensures access to essential services and care without incurring financial hardship. Both COVID-19 and NCDs are indiscriminate actors, disproportionately impacting the poorest and most vulnerable people in all countries.
Emerging evidence from the COVID-19 pandemic suggests that people living with NCDs and other chronic conditions - in particular hypertension and cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, respiratory diseases, obesity, and mental and neurological health conditions such as dementia - are at higher risk of severe illness or death from the virus. Yet, even in the midst of a public health emergency of international concern, companies that produce harmful products, such as tobacco, alcohol and sugar-sweetened beverages, continue to spread misinformation and deny the link between the harmful effects of their products and COVID-19 to protect their markets.
We call on governments to ensure:
- NCD prevention and treatment are included in national preparedness plans, beginning with inclusion of NCDs in national COVID-19 responses as part of global health security, acknowledging the links between COVID-19 complications and underlying chronic conditions.
- The continued delivery of routine chronic care, supplies of essential medicines and technologies, screening and diagnosis, access to resources, and supportive and palliative services for ongoing management of NCDs, mental health, and other chronic conditions.
- Precautionary measures are taken to protect both people living in care homes and other residential facilities and children, who may be predisposed to chronic, long-term morbidity due to COVID-19 infections, as evidenced by a multisystemic inflammatory response that may cause damage to multiple organ systems.
- Healthcare workers are recruited, trained, protected, and well-resourced to meet the current and future demand for chronic care and the COVID-19 pandemic. Special attention is needed to ensure the mental health and well-being of healthcare workers is supported.
- People living with NCDs and comorbidities, older people, young people, civil society and those most affected are consulted and meaningfully involved in the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of international, national, and local COVID responses.
- NCD prevention and health promotion continues to be prioritised to protect and strengthen population health and health systems, especially under ‘lockdown conditions,’ and is aligned with the WHO NCD Global Action Plan. Regulations and restrictions for industries that produce health-harmful commodities, including tobacco, alcohol, sugar-sweetened beverages, and fossil fuels, should be reinforced and not relaxed during the pandemic.
- Legally binding policies are created and implemented in collaboration with civil society for greater transparency, accountability, monitoring and enforcement in order to achieve good health and well-being for all, while preventing and addressing conflicts of interest.
- Particularly harmful products, such as tobacco and alcohol, are declared non-essential within pandemic responses with restrictions on availability and marketing. Physical activity and healthy diets should be actively promoted and supported, measures to reduce air pollution implemented rapidly, and food security should be addressed with due consideration to nutrition and health of diets.
- Engagement with unhealthy commodity industries is limited or ceased. This includes where there are real or perceived conflicts of interest through corporate social responsibility activities such as production and provision of PPE, sanitizers, processed food and beverages in care packs, new logistics partnerships, publication and reporting of pseudo-science, and political influence on policy.
- Economic stimulus packages for key sectors such as health care, transport, energy, and agriculture have health protection and promotion embedded at their core to foster a green economy and promote healthy environments.
- Digital health solutions are identified and scaled up by developing data systems that provide clear and accurate information for national health experts and the general public.
- Media are sensitised to report responsibly on health issues especially where misinformation is suspected, and to prevent uptake and promotion of such misinformation.
- The WHO Civil Society Working Group on NCDs and the NCD community remains committed to elevating the voices of civil society and people living with NCDs and supporting WHO and governments during this pandemic and in the post-pandemic recovery period.