NCDs such as cardiovascular disease, cancers, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases are responsible for 63% of global deaths and are projected to increase by 15% between 2010-2020. Common risk factors include tobacco use, alcohol, poor nutrition and physical inactivity. While myths exist that NCDs are less common than infectious diseases or only affect the rich, they result in premature death and disability as well as lost productivity and high treatment costs. The UN has held meetings on NCD prevention and control, establishing a target of a 25% reduction in NCD mortality by 2025, but less than 3% of international aid goes to NCDs despite their large burden.

1. NCD Update: Policies and Programs for the
Prevention and Control of NCDs
Jeffrey Meer
Special Advisor
for Global Health
CORE Group
April 23, 2013
Baltimore, MD

2. What are NCDs?
• Cardiovascular Disease
• Cancers
• Diabetes
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
• [Mental Health]

3. Context
• NCDs are responsible for 63 percent of all
deaths globally.
• NCD deaths are projected to increase by
15% globally between 2010 and 2020

4. Causes of Death in Rural Bangladesh

5. Links Between NCDs and MCH
• Cervical cancer and HPV
• Breast cancer
• Gestational and Type-I diabetes

6. Burden of Disease 2004 - 2030
Courtesy: WHO

7. Common Risk Factors
• Smoking Tobacco
• Inappropriate use of alcohol
• Inadequate exercise
• Poor nutrition

8. The NCD Pyramid
Courtesy: WHO

9. What Else Affects NCDs?
• Genetics
• Environment
• Lifestyles

10. Myths about NCDs
• Less common than
infectious diseases (HIV,
TB, malaria, diarrhea)
• Unrelated to infectious
diseases
• Only for the rich and aged
• Too expensive and
complex to treat
• Take $ and focus away
from infectious diseases

11. Development Implications
• Premature death
• Disability
• Loss of productivity
• Cost of treatment and care
• Less opportunity for education

12. Resources?
Less than 3 percent of all international
development assistance for health ($21
billion annually) goes to NCD prevention
or treatment

13. NCD Prevention and Treatment Matter!
US death rates from several diseases 1900-1996
Courtesy: Richard Cooper, MD

14. United Nations High Level Meeting on
NCDs
September 19-20, 2011 New York, NY

17. The UN Political Declaration on NCDs
• Description and scope of the issue
• Whole of government, whole of society
• Reducing risk factors
• Strengthening national policies and health
systems
• International cooperation and partnerships
• Research, M&E, follow up

18. Political Declaration (continued)
• Prevention is the key
• Social determinants and
poverty
• Doha/TRIPS
• Engaging the private
sector (except tobacco)
• Women
• Children and adolescents
• Reproductive health
• Climate Change

19. NCD Child -- March 19-20, 2012

20. World Health Assembly May 2012
• First global agreement on an
NCD target
• 25 percent reduction in
mortality from NCDs by 2025
• Continuing process for
additional targets
• Member states meeting prior
to “end of October 2012”

21. WHO Ad Hoc Meeting November 2012
• Reaffirmation of “25 x 25”
• Eight additional goals
• 25 new targets

22. Who’s in Charge for the USA?
• Health and Human Services
• USAID
• State Department
• US Mission to the United Nations
• Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention

23. Now Under Discussion by UN and WHO
• Draft Action Plan on NCDs
• Multisectoral engagement for NCDs
• NCDs in the “Sustainable Development
Goals” post-2015

24. Thank You!
• www.ncdroundtable.org
• www.ncdchild.org
• www.ncdalliance.org