Dr Oleg Chestnov, Switzerland
It may surprise you that I would say this, but everyone is affected in some way by NCDs. In 2017, they remain responsible for 70% of all global deaths and countless years of morbidity. In fact, it would be challenging to find an individual on this earth untouched by NCDs, whether personally or professionally. However, there is so much we have achieved in this space to be proud of. The NCDs&Me campaign and much of the work I have done myself at the World Health Organization is based on the premise that everyone, no matter where they are born, should have the right to live a productive life beyond the age of 70 years, without the unnecessary suffering or premature death that can result from NCDs. Many of us still can’t achieve this, but the promising future I see, is inspired by the sheer numbers of people working at all levels of society, within and beyond health, to turn this tide. The prevention and management of risk factors remains crucial to this process. On this level, many of our existing successes lie with the countries who have taken action and equipped themselves to implement change. The movement to #BeatNCDs will be most successful if we view it as a global and inclusive movement where leaders, particularly Heads of State, actively choose to resource and enable a healthy lifestyle for all those in their care. This of course, must be supported by active citizens who, where possible and when empowered to do so, are excited to choose the same path.