WEB-BASED CONSULTATION FOR UPDATING 'APPENDIX 3': PLEASE PARTICIPATE BEFORE 26 JUNE

Part of WHO’s Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of NCDs 2013–2020 comprises a menu of policy options and cost-effective and recommended interventions (known as “Appendix 3” or the NCD "best buys") to assist Member States, as appropriate for their national context, in implementing measures towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Target 3.4.

In 2019's World Health Assembly, Paragraph 3(a) of decision WHA72(11) requested the Director-General to “propose updates to the appendix of WHO’s global action plan for the prevention and control of NCDs, as appropriate, in consultation with Member States and taking into account the views of other stakeholders, ensuring that the action plans remain based on scientific evidence for the achievement of previous commitments for the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases, including Sustainable Development Goal target 3.4 (by 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from NCDs through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being) and other related goals and targets”.

The last revision of 'Appendix 3' was endorsed by the World Health Assembly in 2017 (decision WHA70.11). That endorsement enabled the WHO Secretariat to include an updated Appendix 3 in the report of the UN Secretary-General to the United Nations General Assembly on NCDs in December 2017.

In response, the WHO Secretariat is again updating Appendix 3. This will be considered by Member States at the 76th World Health Assembly (2023) though the 152nd session of the Executive Board.

We are delighted to announce our first draft WHO discussion paper on the updated Appendix 3! Sunday 26 June is the last chance to participate in our web-based consultation.

If you would like to be involved in the update, please explore the engagement opportunities listed below:

1 to 26 June 2022: WHO Secretariat will publish a first draft WHO discussion paper containing a proposed updated Appendix 3 for a web-based consultation.

20 June 2022: WHO Secretariat will convene a first informal consultation with Member States and UN organizations.

21 June 2022: WHO Secretariat will convene a first informal consultation with non-State actors (NGOs, private sector entities, philanthropic foundations and academic institutions).

25 July to 21 August 2022: WHO Secretariat will publish a second draft WHO discussion paper containing a proposed updated Appendix 3 for a web-based consultation.

16 September 2022: WHO Secretariat will convene a second informal consultation with Member States and UN organizations.

19 September 2022: WHO Secretariat will convene a second informal consultation with non-State actors.

You can find a set of technical briefs for each major NCD and risk factor, including a list of interventions that have been modelled through the WHO-CHOICE program, which conducts a 'generalized cost-effectiveness analysis' on health interventions, accounting for setting-specific factors such as the burden of disease, health system practice, and economic conditions.

A NEW TOOL FOR VISUALIZING THE BENEFITS OF ACHIEVING SDG 3.4

A new web tool published last week allow users to visualize the impact of a select package of NCD clinical interventions and intersectoral policies could have on WHO Member States achieving SDG target 3.4 by 2030.

Built by researchers at the Department of Global Health, University of Washington, in partnership with WHO’s NCD Department, the tool quickly enables users to see the effect that interventions would have on achieving SDG 3.4 target in their country context.

In March, the NCD Countdown 2030 Collaborators published analysis of potential pathways through which countries could get back on track to achieving the SDG 3.4 target in the aftermath of the pandemic. It found that while the world remains off-track to achieve SDG 3.4, a focused set of highly cost-effective clinical interventions and intersectoral policies could greatly accelerate progress and help the world achieve the target.

WHO staff, including Dr Bente Mikkelsen, Director for Noncommunicable Diseases, discuss the benefits of the new tool in a commentary published in The Lancet Global Health. You can read this below!

The application of the new SDG 3.4 visualization tool, with data shown for the aggregate of 123 low-income and middle-income countries. The model estimates that if recommended policies and interventions are adopted, approximately 40 million deaths and 400 million disability-adjusted life years could be averted by 2030

NEW WHO-ITU GLOBAL STANDARD FOR ACCESSIBILITY OF TELEHEALTH SERVICES

The use of telehealth services has increased substantially in many countries, becoming a basic need for the general population, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. While telehealth provides the means for an equitable health service provision, in reality many persons with disabilities experience challenges accessing and using telehealth services. Examples of these challenges include the incompatibility of services with screen readers, or the lack of captioning and volume control.

To address these inequities, WHO and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) have developed jointly a global standard for accessibility of telehealth services. This standard provides a list of technical requirements that telehealth platforms must have to ensure accessible telehealth service provision. All requirements are based on the best available evidence, as well as the comprehensive feedback and input collected from civil society and the industry. 

The requirements are intended for adoption by Member States as regulations or legislation. However, they should also be voluntarily implemented by healthcare professionals and manufacturers.

CONSULTATION ON CERVICAL CANCER IN THE EMRO REGION

WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office (EMRO) has hosted a Technical Consultation Meeting for the Development of a Regional Cervical Cancer Elimination Strategy. Bringing together Member State representatives, the three levels of WHO, UN agencies, public health experts and regional civil society organizations, delegates deliberated on the content of a draft Regional Cervical Cancer Elimination Strategy. 

The main input to the meeting was a draft strategy that has been informed by the findings of a regional cervical cancer survey carried out by a consultant team from the Australian Center for Prevention of Cervical Cancer earlier this year. 

The meeting included breakout and plenary discussions divided by the themes of the draft strategy across the three days of the consultation and has been an occasion to gather input from Member States, partners and experts to the regional strategy. An updated version of the Regional Strategy that consolidates the input of attendees will be presented to Member State delegations at EMRO’s Regional Committee meeting 10-13 of October 2022, as a pre-agenda item.

CANCER CONTROL: EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN REGION SPECIAL REPORT

Researchers from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) have contributed to a new special report on cancer control in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMRO). The Cancer Control: Eastern Mediterranean Region Special Report examines issues influencing the cancer burden in the region, actions being taken to address these issues, and how the situation may evolve in the future.

In 2020, more than 720 000 people were diagnosed with cancer and more than 450 000 people died from cancer in WHO EMRO. This burden of cancer is expected to double by 2040.

The new report comprises 10 chapters, which cover the whole cancer care continuum, including planning, prevention, early detection, access to care, treatment, palliative care, cancer surveillance and research, new WHO initiatives, cancer care in humanitarian settings, paediatric oncology, and the role of civil society organizations in advancing cancer care in the region. It helps to inform the Regional Strategy being developed above.

The first time that such information has been documented together, the report provides an opportunity for more in-depth study of the spectrum of existing cancer control programmes in the region, and of interactions between countries, serving as a basis for information sharing and cooperation.

WORK OF THE UN INTER-AGENCY TASK FORCE ON THE PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF NCDs

The United Nations Economic and Social Council has published this year’s report on the work of the Task Force. The report describes achievements over the last year for each objective of the 2019-2021 Task Force Strategy. The report also outlines the contours for the 2022-2025 strategy.
 
You can access the report, and follow up on any aspect of the report at the link below

JOIN US IN OUR NEW WORLD REHABILITATION ALLIANCE

There is an urgent need to strengthen rehabilitation around the world. Globally, an estimated 2.4 billion people are living with a health condition that could benefit from rehabilitation. This number is expected to grow due to people living longer and with more chronic disease and disability. 

However, in low- and middle-income countries, more than 50% of people do not receive the rehabilitation they require. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on future rehabilitation needs is also yet to be seen.

The World Rehabilitation Alliance is a new WHO global network of stakeholders, working together to support the implementation of the Rehabilitation 2030 Initiative through advocacy. It focuses on promoting rehabilitation as an essential health service that is integral to Universal Health Coverage and to the realization of Sustainable Development Goal 3 Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. Specifically, it has objectives to:

• Conduct evidence-based advocacy activities that increase support and raise awareness on rehabilitation, and
• Strengthen networking and knowledge sharing within the rehabilitation sector.

Last month, we announced an online application process for joining the World Rehabilitation Alliance. Membership approval will be based on an assessment, due diligence process, and review of submitted documents, in accordance with the eligibility criteria and with WHO rules and policies.

We hope you will join us!

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

• Follow along with social media coverage of the launch of WHO and ITU's Global Standard for Accessibility of Telehealth Services with the hashtag #COSP22 (June 2022)
• Dr Bente Mikkelsen speaking about opportunities to explore the latest developments in cancer control at the World Cancer Congress (June 2022)