The High Level Meeting on Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) formed a major part of the 66th UN General Assembly in New York this week. This is only the second health issue to warrant discussion at such a level (the first being HIV/AIDS in 2001).
Non-communicable diseases are now the leading cause of death and disability worldwide and are no longer primarily identified with development and wealth. Every year over 9 million people die from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cancer, diabetes, heart diseases and chronic lung disease before they reach the age of 60. Ninety per cent of these premature deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.
Handicap International actively participated in this summit as an organisation heavily involved in the battle against NCDs with the aim of preventing disabilities. People living with NCDs are particularly vulnerable to developing disabling impairments. Furthermore people with disabilities are often at high risk of developing NCDs. Handicap International’s approach is comprehensive, supporting the development of a range of inclusive services for people living with NCDs, from prevention to care, rehabilitation, inclusion and support for civil society.
The UN General Assembly adopted a political declaration which outlined the seriousness of the problem and the urgent need to take action against it.
Handicap International welcomes this key step from the UN in recognising the seriousness of the NCD crisis facing the world and was pleased to note that the potentially disabling effects of NCDs were mentioned in each of the three introductory speeches.
Prevention through targeting the key risk factors: tobacco, alcohol, lack of physical activity and diet, was identified as core to overcoming the crisis in the long term. And we were pleased to note the strong language pertaining to the need to protect populations from exposure to the risk factors through many of the approaches of the private sector.
“Health for all” was a theme which also ran through the round table discussions. However, where women, children and indigenous populations were particularly referenced by a number of states as especially vulnerable, Handicap International urges each state to also recognise the vulnerability of persons with disabilities and ensure that these populations also receive equal access to services (including rehabilitation).
Handicap International remains committed to playing its part in the global fight against NCDs as a champion for disability and rehabilitation in over 60 countries worldwide.
