Committed to the fight against non-communicable diseases

NEW YORK - The High Level Meeting on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) formed a major part of the 66th U.N. General Assembly in New York this week. This is only the second health issue to warrant discussion at such a level (the first being HIV/AIDS in 2001). Non-communicable diseases are now the leading cause of death and disability worldwide and are no longer primarily identified with development and wealth. Every year more than 9 million people die from NCDs, such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease and chronic lung disease before they reach the age of 60. Ninety percent of these premature deaths occur in low-income and middle-income countries.

Handicap International participated in this summit as a stakeholder heavily involved in the battle against NCDs since people living with them are particularly vulnerable to developing disabling impairments. Furthermore, people with disabilities are often at high risk of developing NCDs. Handicap International's approach is comprehensive, including the development of a panel of inclusive services for people living with NCDs, from prevention to care, rehabilitation, insertion and support to associations of people living with NCDs.

The U.N. General Assembly adopted a political declaration, which outlined the seriousness of the problem and the urgent need to take action against it.

Handicap International welcomes this key step from the U.N. in recognizing the seriousness of the NCD crisis facing the world and it was pleased to note that the potentially disabling effects of NCDs were mentioned in each of the three introductory speeches.

Prevention, through targeting the key risk factors: tobacco, alcohol, lack of physical activity and diet, was identified as essential to overcoming the crisis in the long term. Handicap International was pleased to note the strong language used in reference to the need to protect populations from exposure to the risk factors through many of the approaches used by the private sector.

“Health for all” was a theme that also ran throughout the roundtable discussions held at the summit. However, Handicap International urged states to recognize the vulnerability of persons with disabilities to developing NCDs, as well as women, children and indigenous populations, who were referenced by a number of states as being particularly vulnerable to developing NCDs. Handicap International also urged states to ensure that these populations receive equal access to services (including rehabilitation).

Handicap International remains committed to playing its part in the global fight against NCDs as a champion for disability and rehabilitation in more than 60 countries worldwide.

To learn more, visit The NCD Alliance and http://www.ncdalliance.org/sites/default/files/resource_files/Brief