Action: priority projects

WHO global report "Preventing Chronic Diseases: A Vital Investment"

This global report is one important component of the strategy to strengthen the response of the national and global health communities to the rapidly increasing epidemics of chronic, noncommunicable diseases. A key focus of this publication is to make the case for governments to take urgent action to reduce chronic disease risks and burden.

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6th Global Conference on Health Promotion: "Policy and Partnership for Action: Addressing the Determinants of Health" and the Bangkok Charter

The 6th Global Conference on Health Promotion, organized by the World Health Organization and the Ministry of Public Health, Thailand, was held at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok, on 7-11 August 2005. One of the conference's most important outcomes was The Bangkok Charter for Health Promotion. The Bangkok Charter calls on governments to participate in the health promotion endeavour, to the advantage of their own people, and towards the creation of a healthier and more peaceful world.

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Implementation of the Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health

A few largely preventable risk factors account for most of the world's disease burden. This reflects a significant change in diet habits and physical activity levels worldwide as a result of industrialization, urbanization, economic development and increasing food market globalization. Recognising this, WHO has adopted a broad-ranging approach and has developed, under a May 2002 mandate from Member States, a Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health, which was endorsed by the May 2004 World Health Assembly. The Global Strategy is a key element of an integrated response to the prevention and control of chronic diseases.

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Cancer Prevention and Control

For the first time in the history of WHO, an opportunity to reinforce comprehensive cancer policies and strategies among its Member States has presented itself. The WHO Executive Board approved on 24 May 2004 a resolution on cancer prevention and control.

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Global Initiative for Treatment of Major Chronic Diseases (GIFT)

Making essential medications affordable and accessible to patients with established major chronic diseases can lead to substantial individual and public health benefits. The overall goal of the Global Initiative for Treatment of Major Chronic Diseases (GIFT) is to provide countries with technical support to implement effective programs that improve accessibility of cost-effective medications for major chronic diseases. This initiative is under development and more information will be available shortly.