Following the United Nations Third High-level Meeting on NCDs, the World Health Organization (WHO) continues to promote collaborative approaches to address noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) with the launch of a new community-driven platform for NCD information, interaction, and inspiration.
WHO
The Knowledge Action Portal (KAP) – an interactive online platform and community hub for NCDs, is hosted by the WHO Global Coordination Mechanism on the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases (GCM/NCD), that works with representatives from Governments, United Nations agencies, non-governmental organizations, academia, and the private sector to develop the innovative platform. The GCM/NCD is the first and only WHO instrument aimed at facilitating multistakeholder engagement and cross-sectoral collaboration in the area of NCDs, with the KAP acting as a unique tool for engaging both new and established audiences within the space, including people living with NCDs and grassroots communities. Ultimately, the portal aims to create a community of connected individuals from various backgrounds and skillsets, providing a centralized point for accessing knowledge and information, promoting collaboration, and empowering global, regional, national and local action against NCDs.
NCDs, primarily cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, cancer, and diabetes, are responsible for 71% of deaths worldwide, causing 15 million deaths in the prime of people lives - between the ages of 30 and 70 years - creating a global health epidemic that calls for immediate action. In addition, mental health conditions and disorders are a major concern, with depression alone affecting 300 million people. At the current rate of progress, the world will not meet the NCD target 3.4 of the Sustainable Development Goals, which is to reduce by one-third premature mortality from NCDs by 2030 through prevention and treatment, and to promote mental health and well-being. However, there is a set of WHO Best Buys and other cost-effective high-impact interventions which can be implemented through multisectoral and multistakeholder collaboration across regions in all countries in the world.
The KAP is the first platform of its kind to highlight a variety of NCD tools and information from diverse actors. It provides users with access to a range of campaigns, media, publications, data, and other resources in an interactive and engaging format. Connections within the KAP are garnered within a number of safeguarding features developed to mitigate real or perceived conflicts of interest, ensuring a safe space for the exchange of ideas. Further, the KAP is creating a social network through the utilization of connectivity algorithms, messaging functions, and personalized profiles.
The KAP is open to anyone in the world to view. Those wishing to register must declare they have no links to the tobacco and/or arms industries, and that the necessary safeguards are met to protect WHO’s work from potential risks such as conflicts of interest, reputational risks, and undue influence. The KAP will have a phased approach to development, taking in a variety of feedback from users, which will guide future growth.
Dr. Svetlana Akselrod, Assistant Director General for Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health, World Health Organization explains:
“One actor alone cannot provide the support needed to combat this global epidemic. The threat of NCDs is growing at an alarming rate, and the Third UN High-level Meeting on NCDs has highlighted the necessity to strengthen and scale-up multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder action in order to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.4. To meet the target, Governments, United Nations organizations, civil society, the private sector, academia, and philanthropy must work together.
It is time to acknowledge that the path forward involves bold and progressive approaches to engagement that makes collaborative action tangible. The KAP is a step towards bringing these different stakeholders together, in an interactive and inclusive online community, that will allow actors to combine knowledge, skills, and perspectives, and find the common goals to beat NCDs.”
Dr Guy Fones, Acting Head, Global Coordination Mechanism on the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases, World Health Organization added:
“It’s an incredibly exciting time for WHO to convene stakeholders and cross-sector actors within the NCD community, as we see a variety of wide-ranging voices uniting around the milestone of the third UN HLM on NCDs, an increasing number of calls for multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder action from a range of political leaders, and the scaling up of cost-effective and high-impact interventions to address NCDs towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goal 3.4.
Simply put, without high-level political commitments and a multidisciplinary, coordinated, and coherent multi-stakeholder approach, the NCD challenge cannot be overcome. This will require breaking down barriers and encouraging innovative models, platforms and narratives to reach out to sectors and stakeholders beyond health.
The KAP marks a new chapter of engagement and implementation where the WHO GCM/NCD will not only best support these public health focused partnerships and connections going forward, but where possible, translate these into sustained action.”
You can visit and register at Knowledge Action Portal (KAP)