WHO Global Conference on NCDs – Lets Talk About the BIG FOUR

The global burden of non-communicable disease is a major threat to long-term sustainable healthcare models. People are living longer with chronic conditions and at the same time dying prematurely. Just look at the statistics from the WHO. In 2015 NCDs were responsible for 70% of deaths worldwide, over 15 million people (38% of NCD deaths and 27% of all global deaths) died between the ages of 30 and 70. 85% of premature deaths from NCDs occurred in developing countries, including 41% in lower-middle-income countries where the probability of dying from an NCD between the ages of 30 and 70 is up to four times higher than in developed countries. Most of these 15 million premature deaths from NCDs could have been prevented or delayed.

There are four types of disease which significantly contribute to the burden of NCDs more than any other. The big four are cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory disease. Each of the big four can benefit greatly from physiotherapy input. The evidence and been well researched and documented.

Montevideo, Uruguay 18-20th October 2017

Later this year, the President of Uruguay is host to the WHO conference with the objectives of:

• Providing guidance to Member States on how to reach SDG target 3.4 by 2030 by influencing public policies in sectors beyond health and enhancing policy coherence;
• Launching a set of new global initiatives to help countries accelerate progress in reducing premature mortality from NCDs and fast track efforts to attain SDG target 3.4;
• Exchanging national experiences in enhancing policy coherence to attain the 9 voluntary global NCD targets for 2025;
• Highlighingt the health sector as the key advocate for enhancing policy coherence for the attainment of SDG target 3.4.

Participants include heads of state and government, ministers from relevant cabinets, public policy makers, UN organizations and global experts.

Let’s make sure that before this conference takes place we make sure the stakeholders are aware that Physiotherapy is uniquely positioned. Our profession is key to helping reduce the financial and emotional strain of these long-term illnesses and this conference is a great opportunity to promote the profession. We need a loud Physiotherapy presence to shout about the necessity to back us, to let us help combat chronic disease. We are part of the solution.

The discussions from the conference will be published soon afterwards.

The Conference Brochure