The World Health Organization's new "Noncommunicable Disease Progress Monitor 2015" was launched this week during the UN Sustainable Development Summit, in New York.

The Monitor tracks the extent to which 194 countries are implementing their commitments to develop national responses to the global burden of NCDs. It provides a snapshot of some of the achievements and challenges faced by both developed and developing countries as they strive to reach globally agreed targets to combat cancer, diabetes, and heart and lung disease. 

It uses the 10 indicators and their sub-indicators on which WHO will base its report on progress at the 2018 High-Level Meeting on NCDs at the UN General Assembly. 

The Monitor covers a range of critical issues, from the setting of overall NCD reduction targets, to strong measures to reduce tobacco consumption, harmful use of alcohol, unhealthy diets and physiccal inactivity, along with measures to strengthen treatment and care for people with NCDs. Two countries score 14 out of a total of 18 fully achieved measures (Brazil and Costa Rica). Other countries that have made major strides include Chile, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the United Kingdom, Canada, Colombia, and the Russian Federation. 

WHO has also launched a new mobile application - the WHO NCD Data Finder, for use on all mobile devices such as smart phones and mobile tablets. The NCD Data Finder presents information on the NCD situation in each country - including data on deaths, risk factors and country systems response.

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