Monitoring framework and targets for the prevention and control of NCDs

20 December 2011 -- In response to paragraphs 61 and 62 of the Political Declaration of the General Assembly on the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases (resolution 66/2), WHO has developed a discussion paper outlining a comprehensive global monitoring framework and the technical background for developing a set of voluntary global targets for the prevention and control of NCDs, for consideration by Member States.

• More on the consultation

19-20 September 2011 -- The four main noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) - cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic lung diseases and diabetes - kill three in five people worldwide, and cause great socioeconomic harm within all countries, particularly developing nations. The decision by the UN General Assembly to convene a high-level meeting on NCDs on 19-20 September 2011 presents a unique opportunity for the intenational community to take action against the epidemic, save millions of lives and enhance development initiatives.

• More on UN high-level meeting on NCDs

14 September 2011 -- A new WHO report Noncommunicable diseases country profiles 2011 features information about noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) situation in 193 countries. It includes details of what proportion of each country's deaths are due to diseases such as cancer, heart and lung diseases, and diabetes; and provides information on prevalence, trends in metabolic risk factors alongside data on the country's capacity to address the challenges posed by NCDs.

• Press release: WHO maps NCD trends in all countries
• Report: NCD country profiles 2011
• NCD profiles by country

April 2011 -- Noncommunicable diseases are the leading killer today and are on the increase. WHO Global status report on noncommunicable diseases confirms that 36.1 million people died from NCDs in 2008. The report provides a baseline for future monitoring of NCD-related trends and for assessing the progress that countries are making to address the epidemic.

• Report: Global status report on noncommunicable diseases 2010
• Press release: Deaths from NCDs on the rise, with developing world hit hardest