An online Community on Women and NCDs was launched this week to facilitate learning and sharing of best practices in implementing a life-course approach to women’s health and NCDs.

Facilitated by The George Institute for Global Health and the WHO Global Coordination Mechanism on NCDs, the Community was launched via a webinar on 5 March, where a panel discussed why the focus should be turned to women and NCDs.

"It is definitely time for this Community - today, NCDs and injuries are the leading causes of death and disability among women in developing and developed countries alike" - NCD Alliance CEO Katie Dain

"What we're hoping is that this community can bring together diverse global experts from women's health and beyond," said Emma Feeny on the webinar, speaking on behalf of Robyn Norton, Principal Director of The George Institute. "This will enable us to create a network of people interested in promoting evidence-based, scalable best practices in implementing a life-course approach to women’s health and NCDs,”

Gender equity & a life-course approach

Among its aims, the Community will promote gender equity and address the burden of disease facing women and girls through a life-course approach, which recognises how health-related measures early in life can be indicators for health outcomes later on.

It is definitely time for this Community," said NCD Alliance CEO Katie Dain. "Today, NCDs and injuries are the leading causes of death and disability among women in developing and developed countries alike.

“Women who live in poverty, with limited health infrastructure, a lack of health workforce capacity and starker gender differences, are far less likely to access timely, adequate or affordable diagnosis and care,” Dain added. “As a result, chronic diseases are often detected at a late stage, increasing the likelihood of disability and largely preventable, premature death."