American Cancer Society staff participated in meetings of the 61st World Health Assembly (WHA) May 19-24 in Geneva. Among several important decisions made by the WHA at these meetings, the assembly endorsed a six-year action plan directing the World Health Organization (WHO) to increase efforts to prevent and control non-communicable diseases, which are now the leading threats to human health. These diseases, which include cancer, accounted for 60 percent of all deaths globally in 2005, and they have the greatest impact on low- and middle-income countries. The plan calls for the WHO to map emerging epidemics of non-communicable diseases and analyze their social, economic, and political causes, using this information to formulate guidance on effective policies and financial measures to tackle these diseases. It directs the WHO to take steps to reduce the level of exposure to common risk factors for non-communicable diseases. The plan also proposes ways that the WHO can strengthen health care for those with non-communicable diseases.
To access the report, click here: http://www.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/A61/A61_8-en.pdf
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