Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs)
Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of deaths globally, killing more people each year than all other causes combined. Available data suggests that 80% of NCD deaths occur in low- to middle-income countries. NCDs are comprised mainly of cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes and chronic lung diseases. It is understood that NCDs are caused by four behavioral risk factors: tobacco use, unhealthy diet, insufficient physical activity and harmful use of alcohol. This leads to serious socioeconomic consequences, through individual and household impoverishment, and hinders social and economic development.
Of the 57 million deaths that occurred globally in 2008, 35 million were due to NCDs. According to the World Health Organization, a staggering 18 million of the 35 million NCD-related deaths globally are women. Worldwide, NCDs represent a serious threat to women’s health and development. They affect women’s chances of bearing children and a child born to a malnourished mother is likely to suffer from infant under-nutrition, late physical and cognitive development and NCDs in adulthood. NCDs are also financially debilitating for women and their families as women are expected to find a way to cover the families’ costly health care expenses.
Women’s health is largely connected to and vital for ANY family, community or country’s growth and development. For this reason, a global call has been issued by the General Assembly to draw attention to NCDs and stimulate policy dialogue on particular issues related to girls and women in the lead up to the first-ever UN High-Level Summit on NCDs in September 19 and 20, 2011. The High-Level Meeting shall address the prevention and control of NCDs worldwide, with a particular focus on NCDs’ impact on developing countries.
World leaders have also spoken out on this issue. Current Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women, Michelle Bachelet, strongly supports making NCDs a priority for women’s health and development. The former Chilean President said that “women’s strength, women’s industry, women’s wisdom are human kind’s greatest untapped resource.” Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary General, stated that “each year, millions of women and children die from preventable causes. These are not statistics. They are people with names and faces. Their suffering is unacceptable in the 21st century.”
Women are essential for sustainable development. Availability of and access to health resources improve maternal health and reduce child mortality rates. Women in good health conditions are instrumental in the progress of the life of a household, community or nation. Therefore, prevention and control of NCDs, the world’s number one killer, is a priority for women’s health and development. By collaborating our efforts and resources and protecting women from NCDs risk factors, we will benefit the lives of millions of girls and women throughout the world.
Follow the US National Committee for UN Women on Twitter and Facebook during the UN High-Level Summit on NCDs in September 2011 to stay updated.
Of the 57 million deaths that occurred globally in 2008, 35 million were due to NCDs. According to the World Health Organization, a staggering 18 million of the 35 million NCD-related deaths globally are women. Worldwide, NCDs represent a serious threat to women’s health and development. They affect women’s chances of bearing children and a child born to a malnourished mother is likely to suffer from infant under-nutrition, late physical and cognitive development and NCDs in adulthood. NCDs are also financially debilitating for women and their families as women are expected to find a way to cover the families’ costly health care expenses.
Women’s health is largely connected to and vital for ANY family, community or country’s growth and development. For this reason, a global call has been issued by the General Assembly to draw attention to NCDs and stimulate policy dialogue on particular issues related to girls and women in the lead up to the first-ever UN High-Level Summit on NCDs in September 19 and 20, 2011. The High-Level Meeting shall address the prevention and control of NCDs worldwide, with a particular focus on NCDs’ impact on developing countries.
World leaders have also spoken out on this issue. Current Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women, Michelle Bachelet, strongly supports making NCDs a priority for women’s health and development. The former Chilean President said that “women’s strength, women’s industry, women’s wisdom are human kind’s greatest untapped resource.” Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary General, stated that “each year, millions of women and children die from preventable causes. These are not statistics. They are people with names and faces. Their suffering is unacceptable in the 21st century.”
Women are essential for sustainable development. Availability of and access to health resources improve maternal health and reduce child mortality rates. Women in good health conditions are instrumental in the progress of the life of a household, community or nation. Therefore, prevention and control of NCDs, the world’s number one killer, is a priority for women’s health and development. By collaborating our efforts and resources and protecting women from NCDs risk factors, we will benefit the lives of millions of girls and women throughout the world.
Follow the US National Committee for UN Women on Twitter and Facebook during the UN High-Level Summit on NCDs in September 2011 to stay updated.