International Development Law Organization

Non-Communicable Diseases

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for widespread illness and disability, and over 70 per cent of all deaths worldwide, killing 41 million people worldwide every year. Key risk factors include unhealthy diets and physical inactivity, increasing the risk of life-threatening conditions such as diabetes and heart disease to men, women, girls, and boys of all income levels. Overall, unhealthy diets pose a greater risk to morbidity and mortality than do unsafe sex, alcohol, drug, and tobacco use combined.

The rule of law is a crucial part of the response to NCDs. Through regulation and fiscal reforms, countries can promote healthy diets, physical activity, and other initiatives reducing the prevalence and harms of NCDs. IDLO works extensively at this intersection of health, rule of law, and sustainable development, strengthening the capacity of civil society and other academic, health, and legal institutions to address large-scale public health crises. In support of international commitments to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), IDLO promotes the increasing international awareness of links between SDG 3 on healthy lives and wellbeing and other SGDs, especially SDG 16 on peace, justice, and strong institutions.

View the open call for concept notes here: Healthier Food Environments Initiative - Global Regulatory & Fiscal Capacity Building Programme (Global RECAP) and Interactive Food Map Nepal

Statement by the Director-General, Jan Beagle at the Friends of the UN Task Force on the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases

Statement by the Director-General, Jan Beagle at the Friends of the UN Task Force on the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases: Working with Member States to Deliver the NCD-related SDG Targets during and beyond COVID-19

Pages

Key Initiatives

  • Promoting Healthy Diets and Physical Activity in Uganda
  • Promoting Healthy Diets and Physical Activity in Tanzania
  • Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes represent a major challenge for sustainable development and the achievement of Agenda 2030. They hamper social and economic development, increase inequalities, and perpetuate poverty. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), each year NCDs contribute to the deaths of 17 million people under the age of 70, with 86% of these premature deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries.
  • In 2014 IDLO signed agreements with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) to build legal capacity to address public health challenges. The initial focus is on obesity, diabetes, healthy diets and physical activity. Also in 2014, IDLO, the WHO and the University of Sydney convened the first regional consultation on overweight, obesity, diabetes and law in the Western Pacific.
Subscribe to RSS - Non-Communicable Diseases