World Leaders Agree To Reduce Preventable Deaths from NCDs: 25 by 25

The outcome of the 65thWorld Health Assembly (WHA), held at Geneva ( 21-26 ,May, 2012) which was looked upon as a major starting point in prevention and control of Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), is something the world can celebrate.

As pointed out by NCD Alliance, just before the WHA the picture was looking uncertain, if it would be possible to convince the world’s governments to agree to reducing preventable deaths from NCDs by 25%, by the year 2025. There were divergent opinions: that it will not be possible to set such targets until next  year, and some countries thought that it was too hard to get agreement on such a concrete goal from all 193 UN Member States.
 


NCD Alliance says that the initiative from Jamaica and Samoa, and the leadership of the United States, Barbados, Canada, Australia, Brazil, Norway, Russian Federation, Egypt, Thailand and Switzerland, and other Member States gave hope to millions of people living with NCDs  by adopting the “25 by 25” target at the 65th World Health Assembly, with the remaining targets to be agreed at a formal Member State consultation before the end of  October 2012.

The NCD Alliance  had made its call last year for the inclusion of this goal in the UN Summit commitments, and maintained the pressure through the subsequent rounds of consultation on the targets. Advocacy and  lobbying by NCD Alliance and  NGOs, were critical in making  governments agree to this historic decision  to reduce premature deaths from non-communicable diseases (NCDs - including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer and chronic respiratory diseases) by 25% by 2025.

The NCD Alliance, and its  partners greatly acknowledge the support of world leaders for demonstrating political leadership on the greatest global health and development challenge of the 21^st century.   Ann Keeling, Chair of the NCD Alliance and CEO of the International Diabetes Federation declared: “The adoption of this bold and ambitious target is a landmark event in the fight against NCDs. For the first time all governments will be accountable for progress on NCDs. The NCD Alliance and its members and partners around the world have worked tirelessly for nearly a year for this. On behalf of the hundreds of millions of people with NCDs, we are delighted to see this result.”

Johanna Ralston, NCD Alliance Steering Group Member and CEO of the World Heart Federation, said: “For too long, people around the world have been dying prematurely and unnecessarily from NCDs. These are deaths that are largely preventable, using proven and affordable interventions. We congratulate world leaders for agreeing this target. It is a major breakthrough and signals to the world that governments will act, monitor progress and deliver change for people with NCDs.”

In addition to adopting an overarching target, Member States have committed to reach a consensus, before the end of October, on additional targets on tobacco, blood pressure, salt reduction and physical activity; and to consider adding further on targets relating to alcohol, obesity, fat intake, cholesterol and health systems responses such as availability of essential medicines for NCDs.

Dr Nils E Billo, Executive Director of the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union) said: “We will be working closely with Member States to determine further global NCD targets by October. To finally turn around the NCD epidemic of preventable death and suffering, we need governments to stand up for the rights of people with NCDs by supporting a target on essential medicines, and put public health interests first by adopting targets on all major risk factors”.  

Cary Adams, CEO of the Union for InternationalCancer Control (UICC): “NCDs pose one of the most complex health challenges the world has ever faced.  Fighting this battle will require action from us all, and we are ready to participate in discussions involving government leaders, healthcare professionals, civil society, and private sector, to determine much needed strategies to prevent and control NCDs.  Working together, we will prevent unnecessary suffering, disability and death across the world for future generations.”