Your weekly summary of NCD activities, curated by the WHO NCD Department
INTRODUCING THE INTERNATIONAL STRATEGIC DIALOGUE ON NCDs AND THE SDGs
Cancers, heart diseases, diabetes and lung diseases, commonly known in the global health community as noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), together with mental health conditions, are the largest challenge facing global health today. Every year, there are more deaths from NCDs than any other disease group.
Global inaction on NCDs, combined with the COVID-19 pandemic, are creating the very real possibility that Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets 3.4 and 3.8 will not be met. Just 14 countries are on track to achieve SDG target 3.4, to reduce by one-third the premature mortality of NCDs through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being by 2030. Progress towards universal health coverage has been compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic.
On 12 April 2022, the President of Ghana, the Prime Minister of Norway and Director-General of the World Health Organization are hosting the International Strategic Dialogue on NCDs and the SDGs. This will take the next decisive step towards comprehensive action on NCDs and achieving SDG 3.4.
The International Strategic Dialogue seeks to:
- raise the priority of the prevention and control of NCDs in national SDG responses in low- and middle-income countries;
- unite actors and partners to exchange knowledge on how we achieve SDG targets3.4 (NCDs) and 3.8 (UHC); and
- raise the political visibility of Heads and State playing a global leadership role in the prevention and control of NCDs.
In doing so, it will explore:
- engaging collaborating partners, including people living with NCDs, to build solutions across stakeholders and sectors;
- accelerating the implementation of the most cost-effective and feasible NCD interventions as identified by WHO;
- investment in adequate, predictable and sustained resources for the prevention and control of NCDs;
- align and integrating the NCD agenda within the broader health system and responses to emerging global health threats;
- how Heads of State and political leaders are standing together as accountable champions for the prioritization of NCDs at the national and global levels.
At this year's Executive Board (EB150), Dr Tedros presented an implementation road map (2023–2030) for the Global Action Plan for the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases (2013–2030). We have designed this road map to support Member States in taking urgent measures to place themselves on a sustainable path to meeting the nine voluntary global NCD targets and SDG target 3.4.
CHECK YOUR HEARING WITH THE hearWHO APP
Hearing loss is invisible, which often delays its identification. The early detection of hearing loss is crucial for its effective rehabilitation, and to ensure hearing loss is noticed as early as possible, all people should periodically check their hearing.
In 2019 WHO launched the hearWHO app. Available in Chinese, English and Spanish, and on both iOS and Android devices, hearWHO gives the general public free access to a hearing screener, to check your hearing status and monitor it over time.
Mobile applications such as hearWHO serve two purposes: making hearing testing accessible, but also raising awareness of the importance of hearing testing and hearing loss prevention.
Around 350,000 people from 166 countries have checked their hearing using the WHO hearWHO app. The majority of these are between 18-30 years old. Join this group who have taken the test!
What do we need to know to protect our hearing? Watch along to our Live Q&A from World Hearing Day with Dr Shelly Chadha, from our NCD Department!
THE ESSENTIALS FOR IMPLEMENTING HEARTS IN THE AMERICAS
In 2016, WHO launched the HEARTS Technical Package, as part of a Global Hearts Initiative in collaboration with the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC). The HEARTS technical package provides a strategic approach to improving cardiovascular health in countries. It is comprised of six modules plus an implementation guide, exploring:
- Healthy-lifestyle counselling
- Evidence-based treatment protocols
- Access to essential medicines and technology
- Risk-based CVD management
- Team-based care
- Systems for monitoring
The ‘HEARTS in the Americas’ initiative is entering its sixth year of implementation, having expanded from an original cohort of 4 countries, to 22 countries now implementing the HEARTS model.
The accumulation of knowledge, practices, and experiences from the field and from different levels of implementation has been compiled in a new Guide and Essentials for Implementation. The Guide and Essentials document:
- Expands on lessons learned from the implementation of HEARTS in the Americas, coordinating between stakeholders;
- Documents how countries are implementing and scaling HEARTS;
- Guide implementers at national and subnational levels to navigate the different stages of implementation and to ensure interventions are sustainable.
Myopia is the most common refractive error globally, affecting an estimated 2.6 billion people. This week, in the context of the Be He@lthy Be Mobile initiative, WHO and the International Telecommunication Union have developed "A toolkit on how to implement MyopiaEd”, including evidence-based message libraries for users.
REGIONAL PAHO/WHO CONSULTATIONS ON MEANINGFUL ENGAGEMENT FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH NCDs AND MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS
Over recent weeks, we have been sharing regional consultations for People Living with NCDs and Mental Health Conditions to develop a framework for meaningful engagement. This Framework will guide WHO and Member States in the meaningful engagement of both groups to co-design policies, programmes, and principles.
We are delighted to share the expressions of interest for our next PAHO/WHO Informal Consultations. These will be available to all People Living with NCDs and Mental Health Conditions in Latin America on 6 and 7 April, and in the Caribbean and North America on 20 and 21 April.
If you would like to participate, please register your interest at the link below!
A new report by WHO and UNICEF, How the marketing of formula milk influences our decisions on infant feeding, exposes the aggressive marketing practices used by the formula milk industry, and highlights impacts on families’ decisions about how to feed their babies and young children.
This video is based on Dr Tedros's opening address at the report launch, which draws on the experiences of over 8500 women and 300 health professionals across eight countries.
TIPS TO REDUCE YOUR SALT CONSUMPTION
During Salt Awareness Week, WHO/Europe is highlighting give simple recommendations that can help lower salt intake and blood pressure, significantly reducing the risk of stroke and heart disease. High salt intake is one of the leading causes of death in the WHO European Region. Often, we can consume large amounts of salt without even knowing it – while eating processed food or choosing meals through delivery apps.
WHO emphasizes the importance of reducing salt intake and highlights practical actions that Member State authorities can take to implement policies to reduce population level salt intake and promote health and well-being.
The recommendations are:
- Shake the salt habit: no more than 5 grams (g) per day;
- Check the label, and choose the lower salt option;
- Reformulate salty products;
- Meal delivery services: take away the salt;
- Focus on vulnerable groups.
SHARING EXPERIENCES OF MULTISECTORAL ACTION ON NCDs
WHO is launching a call for submissions and inviting its Member States to share their experiences on implementing multisectoral actions to strengthen collaboration across government sectors for the prevention and control of NCDs and mental health conditions.
This call for submissions is intended to map country-level experiences and select those that will be part of a collection of case studies, showcasing successful approaches in implementing multisectoral actions for further knowledge collaboration and capacity development.
Our call for submissions is open to all countries until 30 April 2022.
Submissions are being sought from all countries, with examples from low- and middle-income countries particularly encouraged. Government agencies, ministries or equivalent, both from the health sector and beyond, are welcomed to send their applications.
All accepted submissions will be showcased in a report, accessible online and disseminated widely through WHO channels and networks.
HOUSEKEEPING
As part of efforts to improve WHO communications, we always want your feedback of what you like, and what you would like to see more of! Send me your feedback below.
THE TWEETS WE RETWEET
- The children with #cancer fleeing war in Ukraine (March 2022)
- A new @WHO #UrbanHealth repository of resources to help build capacities to improve the health & well-being of people living in cities (March 2022)
