Other NCD stories
Thomas Cueni, Switzerland
I’m a baby-boomer, so heart, cancer and other chronic diseases called NCDs are not just part of my job, they're a fact of everyday life: for me, my family and friends. I’m lucky, today I feel healthier than I ever did. Statistics show I’m blessed to live in Switzerland, where the average life expectancy is 82. Contrast this with Lesotho, where the average man lives only to their 40th birthday. This is tragic and brings home the health inequalities and the tremendous double-burden NCDs combined with infectious diseases gives developing countries. Social factors such as urbanization, rising incomes, changes in diet and lifestyle and improved life expectancy have all contributed to an increasing incidence of NCDs. The World Economic Forum identified NCDs as one of the greatest threats to the global economy. The task at hand is colossal. Yes there are medicines, but the task at hand needs governments, NGOs, business to work together, and the WHO is leading in bringing all those involved together. Let us not forget that nearly half of chronic diseases are preventable. Speaking for myself, part of the solution starts at home: healthy eating, exercise, no smoking and, if you wish, drinking with moderation. Accepting that changing behaviours is one of the most difficult challenges in public health, it is obvious that more needs to be done to make health systems able to cope with the pandemics of NCDs. This requires ever more public-private partnerships and working together. more >
Dr. Pandup Tshering, Bhutan
The burden of NCDs and its impact on the economy and the health system is well understood. Resolutions have been passed; action plans and strategies have been developed; now it is time to implement them before the impact of the burden becomes irreversible. NCDs are preventable and the risk factors are identified and focus should be on primary preventions through innovative methods delivered through multi-sectoral approach. We should also not forget those who are afflicted by NCDs, services should be provided to them in an equitable manner. Medicines, diagnostic and rehabilitative services should be made affordable, accessible and available to them. Government, non- governmental organizations and International organizations should join hands and work towards the achieving the global targets of bringing down the morbidity and mortality due to NCDs. more >
Katja Iversen, Denmark
My beloved grandma and dad both died of cancer. Two very different people and two very different cancer stories, but the same feeling of loss and pain. I was close to both and with them during their year-long struggles, and during their final days and hours. I will never forget being there, holding their hand, kissing their forehead, and singing their favorite songs with a tearful, trembling voice as they let got of the life they loved. While I can't say that their death prompted me to change my lifestyle dramatically, their struggle against cancer - stomac cancer and ocular melanoma respectively - definitely prompted me to get tested regularly. And to care much more about NCDs than I had previously. more >
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Inspire others by telling us how NCDs affect you. more >