The Ambassador (AMB) team works to reduce noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and injuries through a dedicated programme supported by WHO Global Ambassador for NCDs and Injuries and former New York City Mayor Mr Michael Bloomberg. The team supports the Global Ambassador to:
The AMB Unit achieves its objectives by providing strategic leadership on these topics; developing evidence, guides and recommendations, including implementation tools; building capacities to address these issues; and fostering global advocacy. They work with a broad range of partners and networks to scale up effective action in countries while making the business case for investing in the prevention of NCDs and injuries.
WHO first appointed Michael R. Bloomberg WHO Global Ambassador for Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) and Injuries in 2016. Mr Bloomberg has a long track record on public health achievements both as a philanthropist and a former Mayor of the City of New York.
Through the Ambassadorship, Michael Bloomberg works with governments, global health donors, and private sector to direct resources to tackle NCDs and injuries. He also aims to raise awareness about the positive health impact and the economic gains that can be achieved when effective interventions are put in place. His work is particularly focused on strengthening the NCD and injury response in low- and middle-income countries and through city-level action. Michael Bloomberg has supported tobacco control for more than 15 years, helping WHO protect more than 5 billion people through MPOWER measures.
The Partnership for Healthy Cities is a global network of 54 cities committed to reduce NCDs and injuries. As part of the Partnership, each city implements at least one highly effective intervention such as creating smoke-free public areas or increasing seat-belt and helmet use to save lives
Investing 1 dollar per person per year could save 7 million lives in low- and lower-middle-income countries. Saving lives, spending less outlines the health and economic benefits from investing in the 16 NCD Best Buys in low- and lower-middle-income countries. The goal is to provide policymakers, donors, advocates, and other relevant stakeholders with a sound and evidence-based economic case for investing in and scaling up these measures. A portal with country-specific data is being developed and will be made available soon.
In this WHO Science in 5 episode Dr Etienne Krug, Director of the Department of Social Determinants of Health, shares examples of how cities are taking action to promote greener, more sustainable transport that can also help keep people safer and healthier.
For example:
Learn more about the importance of road safety and sustainable transport in the Global Status Report on Road Safety 2023.
This episode was filmed on-site in Cape Town, South Africa during the 2024 Partnership for Healthy Cities Summit, which brought together representatives from more than 50 cities to share experiences of preventing noncommunicable diseases and injuries.
Find more examples of how cities can promote better health in the WHO city case study library.
