Noncommunicable diseases and mental health

Highlight

61st session of the World Health Assembly, 19-24 May 2008, Geneva, Switzerland This session of the World Health Assembly discussed a number of public health issues and adopted several resolutions, among which WHO adopted two resolutions related to the Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health Cluster: The Health Assembly endorsed a six-year action plan to tackle noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), now the leading threats to human health; The Health Assembly called upon WHO to present at the World Health Assembly in 2010 a draft global strategy to reduce harmful use of alcohol. :: WHA61.4 Strategies to reduce the harmful use of alcohol [pdf 15kb] :: WHA61.14 Prevention and control of NCDs: implementation of the global strategy [pdf 13kb] :: More information

LATEST NEWS

World Health Assembly sets bold new action for WHO

The 61st World Health Assembly, at the closing of the session on 24 May 2008 set WHO on a course to tackle longstanding, new and looming threats to global public health. Among its achievements, the Health Assembly endorsed a six-year action plan to tackle what are now the leading threats to human health: noncommunicable diseases. Delegates also requested WHO - through a resolution - to intensify its work to curb harmful use of alcohol, which is the fifth leading risk factor for death and disability in the world.

NEWS

Noncommunicable diseases now biggest killers

The global burden of disease is shifting from infectious diseases to noncommunicable diseases and conditions. Over the next 20 years, global deaths from cancer, heart disease and traffic crashes will increase as low and middle-income economies grow, according to the new WHO "World Health Statistics 2008" report published on 19 May 2008.

RECENT HIGHLIGHTS 12 May 2008 On Monday, 12 May WHO joined the UN family in celebrating the entry into force of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Statement made by Dr Ala Alwan, Assistant Director-General for Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health. Full statement 14-17 May 2008 16th European Congress on Obesity in Geneva, Switzerland More information :: All recent events

UPCOMING EVENTS 19-24 May 2008 Two World Health Assembly items related to NMH will be discussed. Draft WHO Global strategy to reduce harmful use of alcohol [pdf 75kb] Draft WHO Noncommunicable diseases Action Plan [pdf 92kb] 30-31 May 2008 2008 General Meeting of Global Alliance Against Chronic Respiratory Diseases (GARD) will be held in Istanbul, Turkey More information 31 May 2008 The theme for World No Tobacco Day 2008 is TOBACCO-FREE YOUTH. More information :: All upcoming events

NMH Departments:
Chronic Diseases and Health Promotion (CHP)

Mental Health and Substance Abuse (MSD)

Nutrition for Health and Development (NHD)

Tobacco Free Initiative (TFI)

Violence and Injury Prevention and Disability (VIP)

WHO Centre for Health Development
WHO Kobe Centre
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NMH organigram
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NMH cluster
Ms Vinciane Quoidbach
Tel.: +41 22 791 4396
quoidbachv@who.int

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