The United Nations (UN) High-Level Meeting on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) closed on September 20 with a Political Declaration encouraging governments to establish targets for the surveillance of these diseases and their risk factors. 113 Member States of the UN, including 23 heads of state and 11 heads of government, participated. In the Americas, 9 heads of state and 25 Member States attended the meeting, among other ministers, vice ministers and multi-sectorial delegations.
At an event in New York City, the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) also presented “Non-Communicable Diseases in the Americas: BUILDING A HEALTHIER FUTURE,” a publication that summarizes the culmination of the decade-long effort by PAHO and its country partners to understand and effectively respond to the rising NCD epidemic in the Americas.
In the last week of September, the 51st Directing Council of PAHO was successfully held in Washington, D.C., which further consolidated the Americas commitment to addressing NCDs. For example, the Member States of PAHO/WHO agreed to renew the Strategy and Plan of Action for an integrated approach to prevention and control of chronic diseases. Additionally, the Directing Council approved a plan of action to reduce the harmful use of alcohol, which seeks to lower levels of alcohol consumption per capita and reduce its damage.
To recap Wellness Week and the UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs, we have compiled a list of videos in hope of helping you understand what has been done and what we need to do during this ongoing fight against NCDs. We would also like to hear about any ideas you may have about Wellness Week next year.
Watch the videos below:
- NCDs in the Americas: Building a Healthier Future
- Sir George Alleyne’s speech at the New York Academy of Medicine (NYAM)
- Dr. Mirta Roses, PAHO’s director, talks about non-communicable diseases at the New York Academy of Medicine (NYAM)
- Dr. Jon Andrus, PAHO’s Deputy Director
- Dr. Marcos Espinal, Manager, Health Surveillance and Prevention of Diseases, PAHO/WHO
- Dr. Luiz A. Galvão, Manager, Sustainable Development and Environmental Health
- Dr. James Hospedales, Regional Adviser on Chronic Diseases, PAHO
- Launch of Wellness Week in NYC
- Dr. Alberto Tejada, Minister of Health, Peru
- Dr. Celsius Waterberg, Minister of Health, Suriname
