Reducing modifiable risk factors for noncommunicable diseases

Reducing the major modifiable risk factors for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), such as tobacco use, harmful use of alcohol, unhealthy diets and physical inactivity, is essential to reducing the burden on health and development that NCDs create for countries throughout the Western Pacific Region. As part of the effort to prevent and control NCDs, WHO Western Pacific Regional Office promotes the idea that people can be healthier when they make healthier decisions.

Insufficient physical activity contributes to 3.2 million deaths and 69.3 million disability-adjusted life-years each year. In 2003, WHO launched the annual “Move for Health” day as a global initiative to promote the benefits of physical activity in reducing the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and breast and colon cancer.

One out of two people live in cities in the Western Pacific Region, and many countries continue to go through the process of rapid urbanization. For all the benefits that living in an urban environment brings to citizens, cities also have the potential to contribute to the NCD epidemic. WHO Western Pacific Office supports the process of healthy urbanization through various initiatives. Since 2004, every two years WHO Western Pacific Regional Office recognizes outstanding work in selected areas to encourage cities in the Region to continue to innovate and demonstrate effective and efficient ways of promoting and protecting health of urban populations.