Improving responsiveness of health systems to non-communicable diseases

In almost all countries, development of health systems that are responsive to the challenge of prevention and treatment of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is a priority. NCDs consist of a vast group of conditions, but in terms of premature mortality, emphasis has been on cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases—diseases that were also the focus of the UN high-level meeting on NCDs, held in 2011. 1 UN General AssemblyPolitical declaration of the high-level meeting of the general assembly on the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases. A/66/L. 1. http: //www. un. org/ga/search/viewdoc. asp? symbol=A/66/L. 1Date: Sept 16, 2011 Google Scholar Independent global accountability for NCDsPromises are easy to make, but harder to deliver and even more difficult to monitor. In the political declaration from the UN high-level meeting on non-communicable diseases in September, 2011, heads of state made many welcome promises. 1 But how should the global community ensure that these commitments are adhered to? How can all partners who support the political declaration be mobilised to ensure that tangible progress is being made on the commitments? In one word, the answer lies in accountability. Full-Text PDF Non-communicable diseases: 2015 to 2025In 2012, the World Health Assembly endorsed an important new health goal: to reduce avoidable mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) by 25% by 2025 (the 25 by 25 goal). Although a valuable step forward, quickly building on the UN General Assembly's 2011 political declaration on the prevention and control of NCDs, the obstacles to achieving this goal are great and largely undiscussed, thanks to their deep political sensitivity. It remains a truth today that, despite global rhetoric and resolutions, chronic NCDs remain the least recognised group of conditions that threaten the future of human health and wellbeing. Full-Text PDF Societal doctors already exist: author's replyWhile I broadly agree with the points raised by Kate Mandeville and colleagues, I will take this opportunity to better clarify the thrust of my argument. Full-Text PDF Open Access