The world's health professions warned today that the global epidemic
of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) had become a significant threat to
human health and development and unless urgently addressed, the burden
of NCDs would continue its dramatic increase.
In launching a new campaign, the World Health Professions WHPA,
representing more than 26 million health professionals in 130
countries, declared that non-communicable diseases should be viewed in
a holistic way as a combined threat to global health.
In a joint statement, the global leaders of nurses, pharmacists,
physical therapists, dentists and physicians, said what is needed is a
single strategy to prevent and manage non-communicable diseases. NCDs
- including cardiovascular disease, some cancers, chronic respiratory
diseases, diabetes, mental disorders and oral disease - accounted for
more than 60 percent of global deaths, killing 36 million people in
2008, many prematurely.
Nearly 80 per cent of these deaths occurred in low and middle income
countries. Mental disorders, including depression, affect and are
affected by NCDs. Oral diseases, including dental caries, periodontal
disease and oral cancer, are neglected but important NCDs with a
significant burden on overall health.
The WHPA statement emphasised that the four main risk factors are
tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and harmful use of
alcohol. To make a meaningful reduction in NCDs it is necessary to
take action on the broader factors influencing health behaviours, the
conditions in which we are born, grow, live, work and age, and the
influence of society. It is crucial to tackle the social determinants
of health that contribute to the increase in the NCD burden.
The CEOs of the five WHPA partner organizations, representing 26
million health professionals worldwide, have spoken out on this issue.
Jean-Luc Eiselé, Executive Director of the World Dental
Federation, said: 'In preparation for the UN High Level Meeting
on NCDs in September 2011, this WHPA NCD advocacy and awareness
raising campaign will address the importance of positive individual
behavioural changes and support national interventions targeting
social determinants of health.'
Mr. Ton Hoek, General Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the
International Pharmaceutical Federation, said: 'WHPA is
highlighting the importance of a health system built on a primary
health care model and including prevention, rehabilitation and
specialised health services, as vital if the NCD epidemic is to be
tackled.'
Adding his support, Dr. Otmar Kloiber, Secretary General of the World
Medical Association, said: 'Attention must be paid to the social
determinants of health that contribute to the increase in the NCD
burden, especially access to health care, changes in lifestyles,
housing issues and gender-related inequalities.'
David Benton, Chief Executive Officer of the International Council of
Nurses, added: 'Health professionals and the national health
systems in which they work have a significant role to play in raising
patient and public awareness about NCD risk factors.'
Brenda Myers, Secretary General of the World Confederation for
Physical Therapy, said: 'Specifically health professionals can
support patients and the public to avoid tobacco use and harmful
alcohol consumption, improve diet, undertake regular sufficient
physical activity, achieve and maintain healthy weight, aim for
optimal mental health, manage tension and stress, and access
preventive care and screening for preventable illness.'
The WHPA NCD campaign is supported by the International Federation of
Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations. 'We are delighted
to support the World Health Professional Alliance (WHPA) on this new
NCDs prevention campaign,' said Eduardo Pisani, Director General.
'Many of the cases of death and disability caused by NCDs can be
prevented by changes in lifestyle. It is therefore critical to put
considerable efforts into prevention programs. WHPA's members are
pivotal in raising awareness of risk factors, contributing to
increased health literacy, providing guidance on healthy lifestyle
choices, encouraging early screening, and making early diagnoses of
NCDs.'
The WHPA Joint Statement on NCDs and Social Determinants of Health
said that the global crisis in human resources for health was a
significant barrier to reducing the NCD burden in many countries,
although it added that prevention and treatment of NCDs was
cost-effective.
WHPA Joint Statement on NCDs and Social Determinants of Health
International Council of Nurses (ICN)
International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP)
World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT)
FDI World Dental Federation (FDI)
World Medical Association (WMA)
International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers &
Associations (IFPMA)
Source:
World Health Professions Alliance