EB120.R17
EB120
EB120.R17
Prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases: implementation of the global strategy
The Executive Board,
Having considered the report on prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases: implementation of the global strategy,1
(Twelfth meeting, 29 January 2007)
The Sixtieth World Health Assembly,
Having considered the report on prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases: implementation of the global strategy;
Recalling resolutions WHA53.17 on prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases, WHA56.1 on the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, WHA57.17 on the Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health, WHA57.16 on health promotion and healthy lifestyles, WHA58.22 on cancer prevention and control, and WHA58.26 on public-health problems caused by harmful use of alcohol, and the many related regional committee resolutions, including on mental health;
Deeply concerned that in 2005 noncommunicable diseases caused an estimated 35 million deaths (60% of all deaths globally), that 80% of these deaths occurred in low- and middle-income countries, and that about 16 million deaths occurred among people under 70 years of age;
Noting that the mortality due to noncommunicable diseases is expected to rise by a further 17% by 2015, with serious socioeconomic consequences for Member States, communities and families;
Noting the links between noncommunicable diseases, development, the environment, and human security, and their contribution to health inequalities;
Noting that multisectoral responses continue to be limited by lack of awareness of, and appropriate action to reverse, the pandemic of noncommunicable diseases;
Noting that the importance of prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases has been highlighted in the Eleventh General Programme of Work 2006–2015, which includes the target of reducing death rates from noncommunicable diseases by 2% annually during the next 10 years;
Noting the increasing evidence on the cost-effectiveness of several simple interventions for prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases;
Noting the importance of motivating, educating and supporting individuals and families to make healthy choices in their daily lives, and the important role played by governments in providing healthy public policy and environments;
Confirming the importance of tackling the major underlying risk factors for noncommunicable diseases in an integrated, comprehensive, multisectoral and step-by-step manner;
Bearing in mind that the response to the triple burden of infectious diseases, noncommunicable diseases and injuriesfaced by many countries, and their severe resource constraints, requires a strong primary health-care system within an integrated health system;
Recognizing that the implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control is an essential measure for the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases;
Recognizing that greater efforts are required globally to promote physical activity and healthy lifestyles, and to improve the nutritional quality of food and drink products, the way in which they are marketed, and the quality of information and its availability to consumers and their families, in particular children, young people and other population groups in vulnerable circumstances;
Recognizing that more information is required on the socioeconomic and developmental impact of noncommunicable diseases and on the outcome of available interventions;
Aware that Member States spend only a small proportion of their health-care budget on prevention of noncommunicable diseases and on public health, and that even a minor increase in that percentage would yield tremendous health and socioeconomic benefits;
1.
URGES
Member States:
(1)
to strengthen national and local political will to prevent and control noncommunicable diseases as part of a commitment to achieving the target of reducing death rates from noncommunicable diseases by 2% annually for the next 10 years, as contained in the Eleventh General Programme of Work, 2006–2015;3
(2)
to establish or to strengthen a national coordinating mechanism for prevention of noncommunicable diseases where appropriate to national circumstances, with a broad multisectoral mandate including mobilization of political will and financial resources, and involving all relevant stakeholders;
(3)
to develop and implement a national multisectoral evidence-based action plan for prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases that sets out priorities, a time frame and performance indicators, provides the basis for coordinating the work of all stakeholders, and actively engages civil society, while ensuring avoidance of potential conflict of interest;
(4)
to increase, as appropriate, resources for programmes for the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases;
(5)
to implement and increase support for existing global initiatives and the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control that contribute to achieving the target of reducing death rates from noncommunicable diseases by 2% annually for the next ten years;
(6)
to make prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases an integral part of programmes aimed at strengthening primary health-care systems, and to strengthen primary health care institutionsso that they respond to the challenges raised by noncommunicable diseases;
(7)
to strengthen monitoring and evaluation systems, including country-level epidemiological surveillance mechanisms, in order to compile evidence for informing policy decisions;
(8)
to ensure that health institutions are adequately organized in order to address the serious challenges raised by noncommunicable diseases, which implies a particular focus on primary health care;
(9)
to emphasize the key role of governmental functions, including regulatory functions, when combating noncommunicable diseases;
(10)
to increase access to medicines for high-risk populations in low- and middle-income countries;
2.
REQUESTS the Director-General:
(1)
on the basis of an outline contained in the report onprevention and control of noncommunicable diseases:implementation of the global strategy,4 to prepare an action plan to be submitted to the Sixty-first World Health Assembly, through the Executive Board
, that sets out priorities, actions, a time frame and performance indicators for prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases between 2008 and 2013 at global and regional levels, and to provide support where needed for elaboration, intensified implementation and monitoring of national plans for prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases, including the further development of an intervention to manage the conditions of people at high risk of such diseases;
(2)
to raise further awareness among Member States of the importance of drawing up, promoting and funding supportive national multisectoral coordination and surveillance mechanisms, and plans for prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases;
(3)
to provide support to Member States, on request, andto foster partnership, collaboration, cooperation and sharing of best practices among Member Statesfor incorporating comprehensive noncommunicable disease interventions into national policies and programmes, including health systems policies and programmes, and for expanding interventions, including strategies to educate and support individuals and families;
(4)
to disseminate to Member States, in a timely and consistent manner, information on cost-effective, core interventions aimed at preventing and controlling noncommunicable diseases;
(5)
to encourage dialogue with international, regional and national nongovernmental organizations, donors and technical-agency partners and the private sector, while ensuring the avoidance of potential conflict of interest, in order to increase support, resources and partnerships for prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases, including health and wellness programmes at the workplace as appropriate;
(6)
to promote initiatives aimed at implementing the global strategy in order to increase availability of healthy foods and encourage healthy diets, and to promote responsible marketing in order to reduce the impact of foods high in saturated fats, trans‑fatty acids, free sugars, or salt, in dialogue with all relevant stakeholders, including private-sector parties, while ensuring avoidance of potential conflict of interest;
(7)
to build and sustain contact with the mass media in order to ensure continued prominence in the media of issues related to the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases;
(8)
to improve understanding of the socioeconomic impact of noncommunicable diseases at national and household levels, especially in low- and middle-income countries;
(9)
to ensure that the work on prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases is given suitably high priority and support where appropriate;
(10)
to report to the Sixty-third World Health Assembly, and subsequently every two years to the Health Assembly, through the Executive Board, on progress in implementing the global strategy on prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases, including progress on the action plan.
Document EB120/22.
See ANNEX 6 for the financial and administrative implications for the Secretariat of this resolution.
Document A59/25, Appendix 6.
Document EB120/22.
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