NCD Alliance

World Heart Federation as part of the Global Cardiovascular Disease Taskforce released a new paper acknowledging that ‘agreement by governments, by the end of 2012, on a set of ambitious global targets to curb the growing scourge of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which includes cardiovascular disease (CVD; heart disease and stroke), is critical to avoiding the millions of premature deaths worldwide.’ The Taskforce calls upon governments to support at least 10 targets for the Framework.

The Lancet has launched a series on the importance of Universal Health Coverage in terms of population health outcomes, political and economic components of the transition and how lower-middle-income countries in Africa and Asia have begun to implement national health insurance reforms.

More information

ArogyaWorld produced a series of op-ed pieces in partnership with Young Professionals Chronic Disease Network (YPCDN) with leaders in public health such as Sir George Alleyne, Nils Daulaire, Princess Dina Mired, Peter Piot, Jill Sheffield, Rachel Nugent, Felicia Knaul, Derek Yach and NCD Alliance Steering Group members Johanna Ralston and Ann Keeling.

The Policy Depot – Rethinking cardiovascular health policy

The Policy Depot is a new, innovative social network created specifically for cardiovascular health policy professionals throughout the world. Developed by the National Forum for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention and CINDI, the Policy Depot creates new opportunities for policy professionals to develop,implement, and share evidence-based policies and best practices that will reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease within their communities.

'Countries in sub-Saharan Africa are facing a double burden of communicable and non-communicable disease. Patricio Marquez and Jill Farrington argue that knowledge of their common determinants and the links between diseases should be used to spur development of coordinated programmes to prevent and treat both'- BMJ

For the analysis and article please click here

A recently conducted study demonstrated the links between obesity and a decrease in cognitive function.

For more on the story click here

By 2040, a quarter of over 65 year olds in the United Kingdom could be diagnosed with cancer.

For more on this story click here.

A new Lancet series released this month highlights a group of articles on the topic of hypertension. This series reviews articles regarding treatment for hypertension, hypertension and diabetes, and hypertension in low and middle income countries.

It showcases the increased prevalence of hypertension in low and middle income countries due to social determinant factors such as high illiteracy rates, poor access to health facilities, bad dietary habits, poverty, and lack of access to essential medicines.

The Lancet published the largest survey of tobacco use worldwide, 'Tobacco use in 3 billion individuals from 16 countries: an analysis of nationally representative cross-sectional household surveys.'

It showcases the global tobacco epidemic specifically in low and middle income countries where the tobacco industry have directed most of their efforts. The survey has shown how the burden of tobacco use is growing rapidly and that countries must act now to address the oncoming crisis with  effectiveve tobacco control meaures.

The WHO has posted both the discussion paper on the development of its NCD Action Plan 2013-2020 and the third discussion paper on the Global Monitoring Framework (GMF).