Launch of new strategy against non-communicable diseases

Minister of International Development, Dag-Inge Ulstein, and Minister of Health, Bent Høie, will launch the new strategy, “Better Health, Better Lives - Combating Non-Communicable diseases in the Context of Norwegian Development Policy 2020-2024”. It will be launched at the Gathering for The Future Of Global Health on Friday 22 November, from 14.00 to 16.30 in the University Hall (Universitetets Aula). The event is co-organized by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Health and Care Services and the Centre for Global Health at the University of Oslo.

The aim of the strategy is to contribute to reducing premature deaths from NCDs in low-income countries by a third by 2030 (SDG 3.4), and to improve people's health through the life-course.

The event will focus on what has been achieved in global health since the start of the Millennium and how to tackle today’s pressing global health changes related to non-communicable diseases (NCDs); heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes and lung disease. There will be thematic presentations on these diseases that are today’s biggest killers, illustrating how we can transform disease threats into opportunities for better health. We will also discuss how we can synergize our efforts on NCDs with actions on climate change and environmental health risks. Dr Tore Godal, a longtime Norwegian leader in the global health arena, will be the Gathering’s Guest of Honor.

Key facts:

• Non-communicable diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, respiratory disease, diabetes and mental health disorders, cause more than 70% of all deaths worldwide.
• Key risk factors include: tobacco use, air pollution, harmful alcohol use, lack of physical activity and unhealthy diets with too much salt, sugar and trans fat/saturated fat.  
• The proportion of NCD-related deaths before the age of 70, is highest in low- and middle-income countries. This is also where we see the fastest rate of increase in overall NCD mortality.

Registration is required. Press my register at Gathering for the future of global health. Other participants may register here.

• See also detailed invitation. 

Press contacts:
Per Bardalen Wiggen (for the Minister of International Development), e-mail per.wiggen@mfa.no, mobile +47 91 55 84 86