UNDP administrator calls for 'permanent' focus on NCDs

At the London launch of a Lancet series on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) on Monday, U.N. Development Programme Administrator Helen Clark said if NCDs are placed "permanently on the global development agenda, people's lives, opportunities, and future prospects will improve -- thereby advancing sustainable human development overall," Devex's "Development Newswire" blog reports. "In broad strokes, Clark outlined the development community's role in reducing NCD-related deaths 25 percent by 2025," the blog writes, adding, "The most common NCDs are heart disease, stroke, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes." According to the blog, Clark stated, "Global leadership on health lies with the World Health Organization ... But development actors like UNDP can offer important support for building capacities in-country for stronger health systems and for multisectoral approaches to addressing major health challenges. This includes action on preventing and combating NCDs." The blog outlines the nine global targets presented last week in a WHO framework (Morales, 2/12).