Healthy Caribbean Coalition - WHF Press Release - Improved Focus Needed to Tackle Non-communicable Diseases in Developing Countries
Press release:
Improved Focus Needed to Tackle Non-communicable Diseases in Developing Countries
World Heart Federation endorses recommendations included in new report from the Institute of Medicine claiming ‘profound mismatch’ between resources and disease burden
Geneva, 22 March 2010 – More resources, better policies
and a comprehensive approach are needed to slow the rapid
spread of non-communicable diseases (NCDs)1 in developing
countries. This is the conclusion of a new report,
“Promoting Cardiovascular Health in the Developing World2,”
published today by the U.S. Institute of Medicine (IOM).
The World Heart Federation, which leads the global fight
against heart disease and stroke, with a focus on low and
middle income countries, welcomes the report. The Federation
is recognized by the World Health Organization as its
leading non-governmental partner in the prevention and
control of cardiovascular disease.
“We need to focus on the risks of heart disease in poor
countries just as much as in the developed world,” said
Prof. Pekka Puska, President of the World Heart Federation,
“Chronic conditions cause more disease and death in the
developing world than all infectious diseases put together.
We want governments to understand that investing resources
to prevent these deaths is an urgent priority that they
cannot afford to ignore.”
The IOM report recognizes that despite nearly 10 years of
warnings, NCDs are causing increased levels of death and
disability in developing countries, the necessary resources
have not followed. The report says that there is now “a
profound mismatch between the compelling evidence … and the
lack of concrete steps to increase investment.”
The report also outlines a number of specific, concrete
actions that it says must be taken if the situation is to
improve and the rapid rise in deaths from cardiovascular and
other non-communicable diseases including cancer, diabetes
and chronic respiratory diseases to be slowed or stopped.
The World Heart Federation endorses all 12 recommendations
identified in the report and in particular that:
- Donor governments should “explicitly identify chronic
diseases … as an area of focus.” This must also be followed
up with funding commitments, based on a better assessment of
resource needs.
- Developing country governments should implement policies –
including both laws restricting the sale of harmful goods
(such as tobacco) and incentives to the private sector to
encourage health-seeking behaviours.
- Research is needed to identify policies that will work best
in developing country settings. Rich countries have more
experience fighting chronic diseases but not all of their
policies can be transferred.
The IOM report recognizes the World Heart Federation as an
important player in the global fight against cardiovascular
disease. The World Heart Federation, with its network of 200
member organizations, is working at global, national and
local levels to tackle the rise of heart disease and stroke
around the world. Globally, the World Heart Federation is
engaged in a cooperative alliance with the International
Diabetes Federation and the International Union Against
Cancer to lead the call to action to integrate
non-communicable diseases into the global health and
development agenda.
Contact details
For more information, please contact:
Charanjit Jagait, PhD, Director of Communications, World
Heart Federation,
E:
cjagait@worldheart.org
T: +41 (22) 807 03 34
Brian Tjugum, Weber Shandwick
E:
btjugum@webershandwick.com
T: +44 (0)7785 770 224
About the World Heart Federation
The World Heart Federation leads the global fight against
heart disease and stroke via a united community of 200
members. Through our collective efforts, we help people all
over the world to lead longer, better, heart healthy lives.
About the IOM
The Institute of Medicine (IOM) is an independent, nonprofit
organization that works outside of government to provide
unbiased and authoritative advice to decision makers and the
public.