Why would you like to be on the NCDA Board of Directors?

As a passionate advocate for prevention and control of NCDs, I am committed to bringing the perspective of both a researcher and an advocate for young people and PLWNCDs to the NCDA Board of Directors. I firmly believe that empowering young people as role models and change makers is essential in our fight against NCDs, but we must not forget those who are already living with these conditions, including young people themselves.

Through my continuous engagement with the WHO and my global networks spanning youth organizations and the health research community, I have been advocating for the meaningful inclusion of PLWNCDs in the NCD agenda. As a representative from a LMIC, I am well aware of the challenges faced by those who are living with NCDs, particularly in the SEA region.

I plan to utilize my skills as a researcher and civil society representative to translate context-based research into policy through effective evidence-based advocacy. By doing so, I hope to bring forth regional issues and priorities such as air pollution and voices of PLWNCDs within the UHC agenda, which is a major barrier to equitable and quality healthcare access in the region.

As we approach the high-level meeting on NCDs in 2025, it is critical that we seize this opportunity to set a long-term vision for 2050 and prioritize the prevention and control of NCDs everywhere. By focusing on the needs and experiences of PLWNCDs, we can drive action towards a more equitable and just future, leaving no one behind.

What makes you a good candidate for the NCDA Board of Directors?

As an experienced public health researcher, I have been actively involved in the field of NCDs both at the national and global levels. I have represented the youth at the World Health Organization (WHO) on NCDs and have been a youth ambassador on several occasions. My leadership in advocating for the inclusion of young people in the global NCD agenda has been recognized by my selection as a representative of WHO's Youth Council.

At the national level, I have collaborated with the Healthy India Alliance to develop the civil society agenda for NCDs in India. Through initiatives like Our Views, Our Voices, I have engaged with people living with NCDs and co-authored scientific pieces on topics such as the impact of high-fat, salt, and sugar (HFSS) foods on young people and the dual burden of COVID-19 and NCDs. I have also worked closely with the NCD Alliance to advocate for NCDs and train media personnel on NCDs.

My skills in technical, interpersonal, and strategic areas make me an excellent fit for this position on the Board of Directors. I aim to bridge the gap between global and national knowledge on NCDs and bring a LMIC perspective to the global NCD landscape.

Biography

Dr Ishu Kataria is a Senior Public Health Researcher at RTI International's Center for Global NCDs, with a PhD in Public Health and Nutrition from the University of Delhi. She specialises in NCD prevention and control, working both in India and globally. She has experience in developing and implementing programs focused on adolescent NCDs, mental health, and cancer prevention. Her interest in issues related to NCDs and young people led her to serve as a Special Advisor (Youth) to WHO for NCDs, where she now chairs the NCDs working group on the inaugural WHO Youth Council. Dr Kataria is the NCD focal point for the UN Major Group for Children and Youth and Global Coordinator for the Young Professionals Chronic Disease Network. She is also a commissioner on the Lancet Commission on Women and Cancer and has worked with the Government of India on their Integrated Child Development Services strategy.