The World Health Organization has established a high-level global commission on NCDs.
The commission will work to identify innovative opportunities to reduce deaths from NCDs, which will contribute to achieving the SDG target on reducing premature deaths from NCDs by one-third.
Two 2017 WHO reports found that the world is not currently on track to meet this target.
10 October 2017: The World Health Organization (WHO) announced the establishment of a high-level global commission on non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The commission aims to identify innovative opportunities to tackle NCDs and extend the life expectancy of millions of people.
The commission will also support political efforts to accelerate action on NCDs. Sania Nishtar, former Federal Minister of Pakistan and a global advocate for action against NCDs, will chair the committee.
According to WHO, NCDs, including cancers, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, respiratory disease and other challenges related to injuries, mental health and violence, account for 70 percent of all deaths, or 40 million people in the world annually. Low and middle-income countries (MICs) account for over 80 percent of all deaths from NCDs. Sustainable Development Goal 3 (good health and well-being) target 3.4 aims to, “by 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from NCDs through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.”
WHO reports have found that the world is not on track to achieve SDG target 3.4 on reducing deaths from NCDs by one-third.
Two WHO reports have found that the world is not on track to achieve the NCD target. These reports are: ‘World Health Statistics 2017: Monitoring Health for the SDGs’ and ‘Non-communicable Disease Progress Monitor’.
Ministers and other health leaders will review progress towards SDG target 3.4 on NCDs at the WHO Global Conference on Non-communicable Diseases, which will take place in Montevideo, Uruguay, in October 2018. The UN will also host the third UN High-level meeting on NCDs in 2018. [UN Press Release] [WHO Press Release] [SDG Knowledge Hub Story on WHO Report on SDG Progress] [SDG Knowledge Hub Story on WHO Report on NCD Progress]