This week marks the Global Week for Action on NCDs, taking place from October 15-22, 2024. Organized by the NCD Alliance, this annual campaign aims to unite voices around the world to combat the growing burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), which are the leading cause of death and disability globally. The theme for 2024, “Time to Lead,” emphasizes the urgency of acting now to ensure that pledges made by leaders become a reality by the UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs in 2025. With over half the world’s population lacking access to affordable healthcare, there has never been a more pressing time to lead.
The Global Week for Action encourages everyone to contribute, from individuals to organizations, no matter the size of the action. The power of this movement lies in collective impact—whether through sharing messages on social media, writing to health ministers, or mobilizing alliances at national and regional levels. This week is an opportunity to bridge gaps in accountability, investment, leadership, community engagement, and care, as we strive for a world where health is a right enjoyed by all.
The campaign has been building momentum since 2018, moving from raising awareness to tangible action. The 2024 theme, “Time to Lead,” is a call to transform words into action, focusing on reducing preventable death and illness caused by NCDs, especially in low- and middle-income countries, where the burden is disproportionately heavy.
Find more from Act on NCDs (October 2024)
The NCD Alliance’s Call to Lead on NCDs urges governments, health institutions, civil society, and communities to prioritize action against NCDs by ensuring strong leadership and accountability. This appeal highlights the need for investing in prevention, strengthening healthcare systems, and supporting those affected by NCDs. By calling on leaders to act decisively, the campaign aims to bridge gaps in healthcare access and create a foundation for sustained progress, ensuring that everyone, everywhere, has the opportunity to live a healthy life.
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