January kick started a host of activities to involve and connect on #NCD. Join us on the path to 2025 and the global targets for the prevention and control of NCDs.
WHO Executive Board in session
The 154th session of the Executive Board took place on 22–27 January 2024. Proceedings were webcast from the webpage below. The Executive Board is composed of 34 technically qualified members elected for three-year terms. The annual Board meeting is when the members agree upon the agenda for the World Health Assembly and the resolutions to be considered by the Health Assembly. A second shorter meeting takes place in May-June, as a follow-up to the Health Assembly. The main functions of the Board are to implement the decisions and policies of the Health Assembly, advise and generally to facilitate its work.
The Director-General said “There is also much to be proud of in our work on noncommunicable diseases. Last year, we supported more than 80 countries to integrate services for NCDs into their health systems. For example, in Ethiopia we supported strengthening of screening, diagnosis and treatment in 85 health facilities across seven regions; On hypertension, 10 new countries implemented the HEARTS package. The Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer provided technical and financial support in more than 70 countries in partnership with St. Jude; We supported nine countries to expand access to mental health services for almost 20 million more people” The rest of the Director-Generals speech can be read here.
ITU & WHO workshops held to address hearing health in video gaming and esports
30 & 31 January: Third WHO-ITU workshop was held at the ITU headquarters in Geneva. This was a vital step forward in establishing comprehensive standards for safe listening in these activities. A series of workshops were previously organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), in collaboration with World Health Organization to develop standards for safe listening in video gaming and esports activities. The 2nd of this series was held in September 2023 and started the process of establishing standards for safe listening in these popular activities. With an estimated three billion enthusiasts worldwide, the increasing prevalence of prolonged and loud audio exposure has raised serious public health concerns. The workshop brought together experts in audiology, gaming, esports, technology, and public health to review existing standards and formulate future guidelines for safe listening.
For more information contact Carolina Pardal Belinchón
Focus on noma: the neglected tropical disease
30 January is World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day:
Last December the NCD noma was added to the WHO list of neglected tropical disease, and a new feature story on Fidel Strub, a noma advocate is now available to read online.
A virtual workshop was convened by the WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, on behalf of the network of WHO collaborating centres for NTDs to discuss how to remove obstacles to the NTD road map.
An exhibit “Reframing neglect,” featuring photographers from across Africa where NTDs are prevalent will also take place.
For more information contact REDDY, Nayini Sona
Preventing famine and deadly disease outbreak in Gaza requires faster, safer aid access and more supply routes
15 January: As the risk of famine grows, and more people are exposed to disease outbreaks, a fundamental step change in the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza is urgently needed, United Nations agencies warned today. The heads of the World Food Programme, UNICEF and the World Health Organization say that getting enough supplies into and across Gaza now depends on: the opening of new entry routes; more trucks being allowed through border checks each day; fewer restrictions on the movement of humanitarian workers; and guarantees of safety for people accessing and distributing aid.
4 February is World Cancer Day
Stakeholders' webinar series on WHO cancer initiatives
As part of the events there will be a virtual webinar “Financing for Cancer” on 2 February from 15:30 – 17:00. Register and join the meeting here. Cancer has an impact on many aspects of life, not just the health of the individuals affected. An often-under-discussed aspect of cancer is the financial burden it places on those living with the disease and their support networks, including families and caregivers. This burden can come from medical expenses, loss of income, and long-term financial impact. Addressing this financial burden is as important as the medical treatment itself. This includes advocating for better insurance coverage, financial assistance programmes, and support for those dealing with the economic impacts of cancer. It also involves educating patients and families about available resources and financial planning strategies to manage these costs. This webinar aims to shed light on the multifaceted challenges posed by cancer, moving beyond health concerns to address the critical aspect of financial burdens and support mechanisms.
Embracing patient-centered cancer care
A second webinar on 2 February 2024 at 11.00–12.00 Central European Time, online aims to redefine the approach to cancer care in the European Region, moving from a “tumor-centred” to a “patient-centered” model. Register here. This transformation emphasizes the physical and psychological well-being of cancer patients, ensuring their comprehensive needs are met with empathy and expertise. Key insights for participants will be understanding patient-centered care, personal journeys, success stories as well as palliative and supportive care. Engage with our speakers by submitting questions in the chat during a live question and answer session
World Hearing Day 2024: Introductory webinar held
The World Health Organization was excited to share the theme for World Hearing Day 2024: Changing mindsets: Let's make ear and hearing care a reality for all. Through the theme for World Hearing Day 2024 WHO aims to:
- Counter the common misperceptions and stigmatizing mindsets related to ear and hearing problems in communities and among health care providers.
- Provide accurate and evidence-based information to change public perceptions of hearing loss.
- Call on countries and civil society to address misperceptions and stigmatizing mindsets related to hearing loss, as a crucial step towards ensuring equitable access to ear and hearing care.
Member States, partners and stakeholders in the field are encouraged to organize events to raise awareness in communities, address misperceptions around ear and hearing care and ensure accessible ear and hearing care. WHO organized an introduction webinar on 23 January 2024 in two sessions to:
- Disseminate key messages for WHD 2024
- Share the materials crafted for WHD 2024
- Provide details on the registration process and the small grants
- Discuss activities and actions planned for WHD 2024
For more information contact Stuart Keel
Addressing musculoskeletal conditions
31 January and 28 February: In preparation for a meeting that WHO will be hosting in April 2024 to raise awareness about the magnitude of muskuloskeletal (MSK) conditions and discuss a way forward to give more attention to this important area, WHO will be hosting a webinar series on Addressing musculoskeletal conditions: an opportunity for health systems globally. The series aims to give an overview of the MSK Global Burden series publications as part of launching the Lancet Rheumatology theme issue on global musculoskeletal health and to declare the dates and agenda for the upcoming MSK meeting and foster targeted discussions regarding the strategic progression of the MSK initiative. We invite you to join us on to work together on addressing musculoskeletal conditions on a global scale and spread the word by using our communication materials.
For more information contact the WHO Rehabilitation Programme
Upcoming Events
4 February World Cancer Day
5 February World Asthma Day
15-February International Childhood Cancer Day
27-29 February Global High-Level Meeting on NCD in humanitarian settings
3 March World Hearing Day
Please send your updates for inclusion in the next edition of the NCDs Newsflash:
