Welcome to this edition where we celebrate the huge achievements of the SIDS Ministerial Conference, hosted by the Government of Barbados in Bridgetown with a 2023 Bridgetown Declaration on NCDs and Mental Health as one outcome as well as commitments made by SIDS member States to accelerate action for prevention and control of NCDs and Mental Health. We also reflect on important meetings on oral health by the International Association for Dental Research was organised in in Bogotá, Colombia, as well as a WHO forum on Alcohol, Drugs and Addictive Behaviours, in Geneva Switzerland. WHO NCDs Department, also participated in the World NCDs Congress in Toronto Canada where I delivered a keynote speech on the opening day as well as the NCDs Department organised a side-events on diabetes called "Diabetes 100 years after insulin: How the WHO Global Diabetes Compact is advancing Banting and Best’s legacy" Add title Public facing products were launched including a video on childhood mental health. A strong focus on eye-care and hearing disorders is needed as a growing public health problem. And finally, as all parts of the life-course is relevant for NCDs, please see our important WHO initiatives on ageing.
SIDS ministerial conference on NCDs and mental health
Noncommunicable diseases and mental health in small island developing states
14 – 16 June Barbados: In recognition of the high burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health in SIDS countries, as well as the impact of climate change coupled with the impact of COVID-19 on health and economies in these particularly vulnerable states, WHO, PAHO and the Government of Barbados convened ministers from SIDS countries and partner organizations at the SIDS Ministerial Conference. Taking place ahead of the UN General Assembly High-level meeting on Universal Health Coverage in September 2023, this conference feed into the preparatory processes leading to the fourth High-level meeting on NCDs in 2025 and to future global summits on mental health. Speakers included Hon. Mia Amor Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados; Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General, WHO; Dr Jarbas Barbosa, Director, PAHO; people with lived experience on NCDs and mental health and many more.
Bridgetown declaration
On the 15 June, the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) member countries adopted the 2023 Bridgetown declaration on NCDs and mental health, including a set of actions (Annex I) and a section on addressing the triple threat in Small Island Developing States: Noncommunicable Diseases, Mental Health Conditions and the Climate Crisis (Annex II). The 2023 Bridgetown Declaration, a key outcome from the conference, outlines steps to address the range of social, environmental, economic and commercial issues that lead to NCDs and mental health conditions. Developed through an inclusive process led for and by SIDS, the declaration highlights that NCDs and mental health conditions cannot be properly addressed without responding to the climate crisis.
Commitments
The SIDS commitments page for NCDs and mental health outlines commitments made by SIDS Member States around central themes linked to the SIDS ministerial conference. Countries submitted specific actions for implementation of cost-effective interventions to accelerate progress on NCDs, mental health and environmental action in the face of climate change, and unique vulnerabilities to achieve NCD voluntary targets in the NCD Global Action Plan, as well as SDG target 3.4 and related goals.
WHO Director-General's remarks
The Director-General of WHO, as a guest of Barbados and Fiji addressed remarks to the Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Amor Mottley, Senator Dr The Most Honourable Dr Jerome Walcott, Minister of Health and Wellness of Barbados, Sir George Alleyne, the Premier Ellis L. Webster, Terrence Deyalsingh, Ryan Straughn, K.K. Jagutpal, the Right Honourable Patricia Scotland, WHO Regional Director for the Americas, Dr Jarbas Barbosa, Dr Juan Pablo Uribe as well as Ministers and representatives from Small Island Developing States and other participants from across Governments and organizations
Some of the remarks from the Director-General:
"SIDS face unique health challenges that require our immediate attention. Despite their limited resources and geographical constraints, these nations have shown remarkable resilience in the face of adversity. However, they continue to grapple with the devastating burden of noncommunicable diseases and mental health conditions, which threaten the very fabric of their societies".
"NCDs, such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, and chronic respiratory conditions, are responsible for the majority of premature deaths worldwide. In small island developing states, these diseases exert an even heavier toll due to various socio-economic factors, fragile health systems, and environmental vulnerabilities. Moreover, mental health conditions are on the rise, affecting the well-being and prosperity of individuals, families, and communities across these nations".
"We cannot afford to ignore this crisis. It is our moral imperative to act swiftly and decisively, ensuring that no one is left behind. Together, we must forge a path forward that is centered on equity, resilience, and sustainability. We must strengthen health systems, enhance prevention and early detection measures, and prioritize the integration of NCD and mental health services into primary healthcare".
"In doing so, we must also recognize that the challenges faced by small island developing states are interconnected and multifaceted. Climate change, environmental degradation, and social and economic inequalities, and the commercial determinants of health exacerbate the burden of NCDs and mental health conditions. Therefore, our response must be comprehensive, holistic, and collaborative".
“We are committed to working with you to address the grave challenges discussed during this conference, and to take forward the commitments in the 2023 Bridgetown Declaration on NCDs and Mental Health that’s to be adopted later today.
“First, we need a new vision for the future. ... The 2023 Bridgetown Declaration on NCDs and Mental Health will be the first major outcome that will inform these discussions.
Second, we need new partnerships, across agencies and across sectors, to ensure that we take collective action to break down the barriers facing the SIDS. We especially need the input of civil society and people with lived experience to develop coherent and effective policies.
Third, we need a new agreement on pandemic preparedness and response. The ongoing negotiations on a legally-binding pandemic accord will help the world to move forward with a shared commitment to meet shared threats with a shared response. I urge you to engage actively and constructively in these negotiations.
And fourth, we need a new commitment to accelerate action on NCDs and mental health, by investing in cost-effective interventions and health system strengthening.
Listen to the Plenaries:
- June 14: 10:30: Session 1: Pathways to accelerate national NCD and mental health responses in SIDS
- June 14: 13:30: Session 2: Impact of climate change on NCDs and mental health in SIDS
- June 14: 15:30: Session 3: Lessons learned from COVID-19 and preparing for future health emergencies, focusing on NCDs and mental health
- June 15: 10:30: Session 4: Reorienting health systems with a focus on primary health care for NCDs and mental health
- June 15: 13:30: Session 5: Mental health
- June 15: 15:00: Session 6: Multisector collaboration to address NCD risk factors and commercial determinants
June 15: 16:15: Closing Session: Outcome Document on NCDs and Mental Health in SIDS
Further Information:
- WHO report: NCDs and mental health in SIDS
- SIDS data portal
- Climate change and NCDs in SIDS
- Summary of January 2023 High-level Technical Meeting on NCD and Mental Health in SIDS
For further information contact: archerm@who.int or hogendorfm@who.int
IADR/LAR General Session
2023 IADR/LAR General Session & Exhibition with World Congress on Preventive Dentistry (WCPD)
June 21-24: The International Association for Dental Research conducted the 2023 IADR/LAR General Session & Exhibition with World Congress on Preventive Dentistry (WCPD) in Bogotá, Colombia. The IADR conference was an opportunity for WHO to meet and discuss with the global oral health research community how to strengthen and implement new oral health research agendas that are oriented towards public health programs and population-based interventions. The World Congress on Preventive Dentistry (WCPD) was scheduled to take place on June 24, 2023, with some pre-meeting events and satellite sessions taking place June 19-20. The Global Oral Health Action Plan (2023–2030) contains 6 strategic objectives translated into evidence-informed actions. One of these objectives is dedicated to the oral health research agenda as researchers play an essential role in supporting the development and evaluation of population oral health policies and evaluating and applying the evidence generated by public health interventions.
For further information contact Benoit VARENNE
WHO Forum on Alcohol, Drugs and Addictive Behaviours
Taking stock of the past and looking to the future - tasks, challenges and opportunities ahead: WHO Forum on Alcohol, Drugs and Addictive Behaviours.
27-30 June: WHO hosted the Fourth Forum on Alcohol, Drugs and Addictive Behaviours. Bringing together representatives from across the global health community, the Forum serves as a platform to share progress and learn from best practice to prevent and reduce the harms caused by alcohol, drugs and addictive behaviours. It also provides an opportunity to identify potential opportunities for further international collaboration to accelerate efforts to meet existing commitments to achieve the 2030 agenda. In addition, the Forum will also have a special focus on WHO's SAFER initiative, which drives implementation of the most cost-effective, high-impact interventions ("best buys") to prevent and reduce alcohol-related harm.
For further information contact KELLEHER, Laura
Mental health in South-East Asia
Focus on expanding mental health services in the WHO South-East Asia Region
20-22 June, Sri Lanka: WHO South-East Asia Region experts, stakeholders from the governmental and non-governmental sectors, and partner agencies exchanged knowledge and experiences to address gaps and scale up mental health services at a regional meeting convened by WHO in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Expanding community mental health services, relevant to the context of different countries was the key focus of discussions which also included climate change and mental health, reforming mental health services, financing, and information systems. The WHO South-East Asia WHO South-East Asia Regional Mental Health Dashboard to access data on the prevalence and the burden of specific mental, neurological, substance use conditions and self-harm in the countries of the Region was launched at the meeting.
For further information contact Cherian Varghese
Science in 5: Video on childhood mental health
One in 2 children in the world suffers from violence which could be sexual, emotional or physical. This includes online violence. In “Science in 5”, WHO's conversation in science, Sabine Rakotomalala explains how you can recognize signs of violence and prevent it.
For further information contact
Lancet article on diabetes
Lancet publish an article on diabetes, as a defining disease of the 21st century
New estimates published in The Lancet indicate that more than 1·31 billion people could be living with diabetes by 2050 worldwide. Timed to coincide with the American Diabetes Association's 83rd Scientific Session, The Lancet and The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology publish a Series on Global Inequity in Diabetes. Two papers—one global and one focused on the USA—together tell the unhappy and inequitable story of diabetes. By 2045, as many as three in four adults with diabetes will be living in low-income and middle-income countries. Currently, only 10% of people with diabetes living in these countries receive guideline-based diabetes care.
WHO Global Diabetes Compact
The WHO Global Diabetes Compact responding to the increasing burden of diabetes around the world, the World Health Organization has launched the Global Diabetes Compact. The launch coincided with the 100th anniversary of the discovery of insulin. The WHO Global Diabetes Compact has the vision of reducing the risk of diabetes and ensuring that all people who are diagnosed with diabetes have access to equitable, comprehensive, affordable and quality treatment and care and bring together all partners to achieve its goals. Please consider joining the compact!
For more information contact Bianca Hemmingsen
Making ear and hearing care through trained human resources
Webinar "Making ear and hearing care for all a reality-through trained human resources"
July 6: Under the theme "Ear and hearing care for all! Let's make it a reality", World Hearing Day 2023 highlights the importance of integrating ear and hearing care within primary care as an essential component of universal health coverage. To support countries in this process, WHO launched the Primary ear and hearing care training manual. This manual forms a part of the set of training resources available for capacity building of the existing health workforce at the primary level. We welcome you to join the webinar: Making ear and hearing care for all a reality - through trained human resources on 6 July to learn more about these resources or share your experiences in this field. The webinar will focus on. The webinar will have an introduction to the training resources, show how to adapt and implement them with examples and a sharing of experiences.
Access the set of training resources here:
- Basic ear and hearing care resource: It serves as an information resource for community level workers as well as other interested members of the community.
- Primary ear and hearing care (PEHC) manual: It is a practical guide on preventing, identifying and managing hearing loss and common ear diseases that lead to hearing loss. It is intended for primary-level health workers.
- Community resources for awereness creation: They are informative flyers to raise awareness about ear and hearing conditions, which can be translated into local languages and distributed among community members. These materials serve as a preventive and management tool for promoting ear health within the community.
For any queries, please write to whf@who.int and cc Chitra Chander, chitrac@who.int
Eye and Ear Care: documents released
You can explore our webpage Eye care, vision impairment and blindness, we have a few multimedia resources you can use. And the Fact sheet for Blindness and vision impairment that has the global figures of vision impairment and blindness.
For further information contact Stuart KEEL
Podcast: “Let's talk cancer”
20 June: Did you know that air pollution harms our health? Dr Sonali Johnson from @UICC, sits down with @DrMariaNeira from WHO In an episode of Lets Talk Cancer., on this pressing public health crisis. Available on podcast platforms such as Spotify, Apple Podcasts etc.
For further information contact: Dr. Maria Neira
Two Videos on Healthy Ageing
The Healthy Ageing Unit (AGE) of the Western Pacific Region have created two videos
Promoting community support and health services for all ages: Which shows how local community and hospital promote health and prevent diseases by creating an age-friendly environment in Saitama, Japan. By expanding preventative health services, organizing group activities, and emphasizing the importance of health-conscious choices, local residents are empowered to take control of their own health and well-being.
Fostering multistakeholder collaboration for age-friendly communities: Which highlights the effective measures taken in Nabari, Japan, to promote collaboration among various stakeholders to create age-friendly communities. Through the active involvement of local government, healthcare professionals, and residents, these initiatives utilize resources, exchange knowledge, and implement tangible steps, resulting in the creation of an inclusive and age-friendly environment.
For further information contact JP Zepeda
Please send your updates for inclusion in the next edition of the NCDs Newsflash: kennedyan@who.int
