Caribbean countries have joined in the global effort to “new and bold action” to reduce suffering and death from non-communicable diseases (NCDs), primarily heart and lung diseases, cancers and diabetes.
The Pan American Health Organization said governments have endorsed the Montevideo Roadmap 2018-2030 on NCDs as a Sustainable Development Priority during the three-day Global Conference on Non-communicable Diseases, hosted by the World Health Organization and Uruguay, where the conference ends later today.
PAHO said the pledge follows agreement by world leaders to reduce “premature” deaths from NCDs by one-third by 2030 as part of the United Nations’ Agenda for Sustainable Development.
According to the Jamaica Observer, it said NCDs kill 40 million annually, more than any other cause of death and of these deaths, 15 million occur prematurely among people aged 30-70 years, and seven million in low- and low-middle income countries.
