[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Tobacco addiction is a global epidemic that ravages entire countries and regions, wreaking the most havoc in the most vulnerable countries and creating an enormous toll of disability, disease, lost productivity and death. Tobacco use continues to be the leading global cause of preventable death. It kills nearly 6 million people every year through cancer, heart disease, respiratory diseases, childhood diseases and others. It also causes hundreds of billions of dollars of economic losses worldwide every year. If current trends continue, by 2030 tobacco will kill more than 8 million people worldwide every year, with 80% of these premature deaths occurring among people in low- and middle-income countries. Over the course of the 21st century, tobacco use could kill up to a billion people unless urgent action is taken.
We know what works to curb the tobacco epidemic. The action we need to take is laid out in the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC). So far, 173 nations (plus the European Union) have pledged to work together to implement the Convention in order to protect present and future generations from the devastating health, social, environmental and economic consequences of tobacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke. However, these tobacco control efforts are systematically opposed by the tobacco industry. Who or what is the tobacco industry and what forms do its interference with public health efforts take?[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Heart disease and stroke, cancers, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases and other noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) cause tens of millions of deaths per year, the majority of which occur during the most productive years of life. NCDs reduce economic output and prevent people around the world from living lives of health and wellbeing. Creating the conditions that favour sustainable development means taking action to prevent and control NCDs now.
Nine global NCD targets provide a vision for progress by 2025. The WHO Global NCD Action Plan 2013-2020 and other resources provide a roadmap of policies and interventions to realise this vision. When
implemented, they will put countries on track to meet the commitments made on NCDs at the United Nations General Assembly in 2011 and 2014, and in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including target 3.4 to reduce premature NCD deaths.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_btn title=”Download Now” color=”primary” align=”center” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sancda.org.za%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F07%2Fpolicy-brief-halt-diabetes-1.pdf|||”][/vc_column][/vc_row]
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Last year, 2015 was an historic year for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Global leaders, recognizing the enormous burden that NCDs place on people and communities in developed and developing countries, included them in the new global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
As part of our efforts to track global progress to reduce premature death from preventable NCDs, WHO conducted, in 2015, its fifth national NCD country capacity survey.The aim of this survey is to generate detailed information from countries on their current capacities related to NCD infrastructure, policy action, surveillance and health-systems response. Besides providing a useful snapshot of the progress countries are making to beat NCDs, the WHO NCD country capacity survey highlights areas that urgently require prioritization and additional strengthening.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_btn title=”Download Now” color=”primary” align=”center” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sancda.org.za%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F06%2F2014-WHO-Global-Status-Report-on-NCDs-2.pdf|||”][/vc_column][/vc_row]
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The 2015 national NCDs capacity survey report compiled by WHO member states measures the current ability to achieve SDG 3.4 to reduce premature (ages 30-70 years) death from preventable NCDs.
Content: current means lated to NCD infrastructure, policy action, surveillance and health-systems response.
out lines progress Besides providing a useful snapshot of the progress countries are making to beat NCDs, the WHO NCD country capacity survey highlights areas that urgently require prioritization and additional strengthening.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_btn title=”Download Now” color=”primary” align=”center” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sancda.org.za%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2017%2F06%2F2014-WHO-Global-Status-Report-on-NCDs-1.pdf|||”][/vc_column][/vc_row]
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]In response to the emerging challenge of conflicts of interest in nutrition, the Department of Nutrition for Health and Development at WHO headquarters convened a WHO technical consultation on “Addressing and managing conflicts of interest in the planning and delivery of nutrition programmes at country level” in Geneva, Switzerland, on 8–9 October 2015.
The consultation on this complex issue is the beginning of a process with the aim of developing risk assessment, disclosure, and management tools to safeguard Member States against conflicts of interest in nutrition programmes. The ultimate goal is to help promote the Comprehensive implementation plan on maternal, infant and young child nutrition as part of the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
The outcomes of this consultation informed the WHO Secretariat report which was presented to the Executive Board at its 138th session in January 2016 and which will be discussed at the Sixty-ninth World Health Assembly in May 2016. In early April 2016, the United Nations General Assembly in New York adopted a landmark resolution which proclaimed 2016–2025 the United Nations Decade of Action on Nutrition. WHO will work with governments and other relevant stakeholders, including international and regional organizations, civil society, academia and the private sector, to actively support the implementation of the United Nations Decade of Action on Nutrition. In this context, WHO’s role is to provide evidence-based policy advice to its Member States, to disseminate examples of best practice, to encourage political commitment and to lead international action. Appropriate handling of conflicts
of interest is also needed and WHO is committed to assisting with practical tools, based on the outcomes of this consultation and the wealth of experience that countries are now developing.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
