Non-communicable diseases - A Commonwealth Priority Vanessa Baugh, Adviser (Health) Social Transformation Programmes Division, Health Section Thursday 28 October

Sharing values and principles: Democracy, good governance, human rights and the rule of law, socio- economic development, gender equality, tolerance, respect, and peace and security. A unique family of 54 countries from every continent 2 billion people – 30% of the world’s population The Commonwealth

Why are NCDs a priority in the Commonwealth?

66.5 million people in the Commonwealth live with diabetes (IDF, 2009)

Risk factors are rising: e.g. The South Pacific Island of Nauru has estimated obesity prevalence rates of: 86% in males & 81% in females over 15yrs of age. * Obesity defined as: BMI ≥ 30 kg/m² (WHO, Global Info Base)

In 2010: An estimated 25% of males in Commonwealth countries daily smoke tobacco. This compares to 8% of females, with trends rising in many countries. (Data from WHO Global Info Base of 34 from 54 Commonwealth Countries)

In 2004: 153 per 100,000 deaths in males in Sierra Leone were caused by chronic respiratory disease. This is in comparison to 20 per 100,000 in St Kitts and St Nevis.

Challenges Competing priorities Health system strengthening (e.g. Skilled workforce, access to medicine) Cultural norms about risk factors Multi-sector collaboration Gaining and maintaining political engagement Funding

How has the Commonwealth been influenced and how has it responded?

CARICOM Declaration of Port-of-Spain, 2007: “Uniting to Stop the Epidemic of Chronic Non- communicable Diseases” The 2007 CARICOM Summit raised the global profile of NCDs and acted as an important catalyst upon which we and others have built our efforts.

Commonwealth Health Ministers Meeting, 2007 “Lifestyle Diseases: Health Systems Approaches”

WHO Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of NCDs ( ) 1. Raise the priority of NCDs; 2. Establish and strengthen national policies and plans for prevention and control; 3. Promote interventions to reduce main common risk factors for NCDs 4. Promote research for prevention and control; 5. Promote partnerships for the prevention and control; 6. Monitor NCDs and their determinants and evaluate progress at the national, regional and global levels.

Statement on Commonwealth Action to Combat Non-Communicable Diseases (Republic of Trinidad & Tobago, November 2009) “We, the Heads of Government of the Commonwealth... affirm our commitment to addressing the burgeoning incidence of non-communicable diseases, and to increasing the ability of our countries to respond to this emerging health crisis”.

Commonwealth Health Ministers Meeting, 2010 “When representatives of 54 governments and one third of the world’s population take an agreed stance on any single issue, that stance can become a strong determinant of the final outcome in a broader international discussion” (Mr. Kamalesh Sharma, Secretary General, Commonwealth Secretariat)

“….. the ambition for a world in which citizens enjoy long, healthy and disability-free lives is being destroyed by the onslaught of the NCDs.” (Hon. Dr. Leslie Ramsammy MP Minister of Health, Republic of Guyana)

Commonwealth Road Map Non-Communicable Diseases (May 2010)

1. Conducting assessments The Secretariat would support member countries to conduct the assessment and monitoring of the public health burden imposed by NCDs and their determinants.

2. Development of analytical tools/ products A Commonwealth Report and Briefing Papers resulting from a Commonwealth-wide analysis of the NCD situation.

3. Development of a media strategy Plan: Develop key messages Capacity building of media within national governments Media workshop pre-CHMM, May 2011

4. Organise dialogues with the private sector, civil society and other agencies Maintain ongoing partnership with national and international organisations e.g. Consultative Meeting on NCDs, Nov 2010 Advocate across government sectors (education, trade, finance, etc)

Moving forward..

Commonwealth Health Ministers Meeting, 15 May 2011 “Non-communicable diseases – A Commonwealth Priority” The objectives of the Meeting are to: Discuss the implementation of the Commonwealth Secretariat Road Map on NCDs; Identify elements of possible contribution to the debate at the UN High-level meeting on NCDs in September 2011; Offer evidence and solutions

Examples of Best Practice – Health Ministers Update, 2011 Do you have examples you wish to share across the Commonwealth and further afield?

UN High-Level Meeting on NCDS, September 2011 It is anticipated that messages from the CHMM 2011 will: Contribute to the preparedness of countries for the Meeting. Be expressed by Heads of Government at the UN High-Level Meeting. Jamaica to be one of two UN Member States to co-facilitate the Meeting

After the Meeting.. Need to drive implementation whilst there is political momentum

In conclusion:  The Commonwealth comprises of a wide range of countries with various and unique needs and challenges.  The Commonwealth recognises that NCDs pose a credible threat to health and development.  NCDs are everyone’s concern; they are not only a health issue

Thank you.