Hello and welcome to this week's edition of the NCD Alliance's newsletter! We're excited to share the very first public information about the Global NCD Alliance Forum taking place in Kigali this October. Our Policy and Advocacy Director, Alison Cox, discusses NCD financing leading up to the 2nd Financing Dialogue in June. Plus, we spotlight resources to help you engage in the World Liver Day Campaign and much more. Read on...

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The very first glimpse at the Global NCD Alliance Forum 2024

Leadership and collaborative action on NCDs take center stage at the Global NCDA Forum happening in Kigali on 20-22 October. The timing of the Forum in 2024 is strategic and deliberate, being held just under one year before the fourth UN High-Level Meeting (UN HLM) on NCDs in New York. The event will provide a platform for the NCD movement to strategise, coordinate and unite ahead of the UN HLM, to ensure it results in strong outcomes and meaningful change for people at risk of and living with NCDs.

In 2024, the  Forum will be convened by NCDA in partnership with Rwanda NCD Alliance, in collaboration with the Rwanda Ministry of Health, Rwanda Biomedical Centre, and with thanks to our strategic partnership with The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust.

The crucial role of civil society and lived experience for sustainable financing of NCDs and mental health

"Governments must ensure that civil society and people living with NCDs and mental health conditions are key participants in priority setting, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation of financing and resource mobilization efforts for NCDs and mental health," said Alison Cox, NCD Alliance Policy and Advocacy Director at the Multistakeholder Briefing for the 2nd Global Dialogue for the Sustainable Financing of NCDs and Mental Health. 

World Liver Day: Resources for 2024 campaign 

World Liver Day, observed on 19 April annually, is dedicated to spreading awareness about liver health and the prevention of liver diseases. The liver, an often underestimated organ, is crucial for maintaining overall health, performing over 500 vital functions in the body. Liver disease poses a significant health and socio-economic burden globally, yet it lacks adequate attention on the global political agenda.

Effective policy interventions can make a significant difference. This year, our focus is on educating people worldwide about the significance of their liver, and the various diseases that can affect it, empowering them with simple yet effective measures to safeguard liver health. 

Support WHA resolution to advance social participation together 

The governments of Thailand and Slovenia – in collaboration with Brazil, France, Norway and Tunisia – are pursuing a resolution for WHA77 on social participation for universal health coverage, health and well-being. If the resolution is approved, it presents a clear statement of political support for social participation, outlining specific priority actions for governments to take to advance this agenda within countries.

In order for the resolution to be successfully adopted at the upcoming 77th WHA, civil society has an important role to play in building the political support needed, helping to ensure that social participation in health remains a priority for decision-makers at all levels. The CSEM and SPHERE developed a toolkit to support civil society with their advocacy with Ministers of Health. 

Why investing in global health equity is the key to a stronger NCD response

"People in LMICs are 1.5 times more likely to die prematurely from NCDs compared to those in high-income countries. This disparity is a stark reminder that health and its consequences are not just about individual choices but are influenced by factors far beyond any one person’s control," writes Sara Martin, Vice Chair of Access Accelerated and Senior Director of Global Policy Partnerships at Bristol Myers Squibb in her blog. 

According to the author, there is an increasing awareness and growing appetite to address health inequalities. She mentions NCD Alliance's conceptual framework and practical guide for community advocates and the importance of the whole-of-government and whole-of-society approaches for making health for all a reality.

The latest updates on WHA77

In Geneva from 27 May to 1 June for the 77th session of the World Health Assembly (WHA77)? We have started collecting information on all the discussions related to NCDs, including the calendar of side events (updated regularly). Those of you who have not submitted their events to us please use this form and we will be happy to include your event in the public list. You can also start saving the dates and registering for the events (co-) hosted by NCD Alliance. 

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