Opinion

A goal without a plan is just a wish – the importance of national cancer control plans

Cancer is a challenging disease for all health systems, and the lack of a national cancer strategy can make it more difficult for them to be accountable and aware of best practices. A global health partnership is helping countries to fill this gap.

Most read this month

The hidden health crisis

Obesity casts a big shadow

Contagion of a social kind

We face a fundamental change of the cost structure on the supply side and a need for a fundamental change.

Jochen Kreusel

- Market innovation manager in the power grids division at ABB Power

They [the European Commission] are looking at this stuff backwards. I still think they are convinced the short-term market model could work even though they are also starting to realise that you need something parallel, with long term price signals that give investors confidence to invest in infrastructure and allow them to see a decent market return.

Francesco Venturini

- Global head of renewables for Italian utility Enel

Despite tremendous cost decline of wind and solar technologies, electricity prices will probably remain too low to attract the level of investment needed.

Fatih Birol

- Executive director of the International Energy Agency

The greatest barrier to overcome is the integration of variable renewables into electricity systems. This will require developing power system flexibility and also a friendly deployment of variable renewables.

Fatih Birol

- Executive director of the International Energy Agency

Building a GPS for doctors – the potential of learning elimination in healthcare

Many regions in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) struggle with a shortage of trained health workers, making it more difficult to fulfill the high demand for health care. Creating digital short-cuts for frontline health workers to gain the expertise they need could be part of the answer.

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digitalhealth, health, ncds

People power as the driver and disruptor for the NCD agenda

Health care systems around the world are facing growing calls to make care pathways for people living with non-communicable diseases (PLWNCDs) more patient-centred. The solution is to give PLWNCDs a stronger voice and more direct input in managing their own conditions.

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ncds, PLWNCDs, Public Health

Build health systems where conventional services cannot reach

Access to health services remains a key problem in rural areas and lower and middle-income countries (LMICs), where skilled health workers and digital health options are often in short supply. Focusing on the “three Cs” of health delivery — community-led, connectivity and collaborations — can help to build more flexible health systems for hard-to-reach populations.

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Addressing the Unmet Needs of People Living with Diabetes: 100 years after the discovery of insulin

2021 represents the 100th anniversary of the discovery of insulin and the official launch of the new WHO Global Diabetes Compact. Still, many are unable to access or afford the necessary medication and supplies needed to self-manage their diabetes on a day-to-day basis. While insulin prices are often flagged as a barrier to access, the cost of essential diabetes-related consumables as well as the indirect costs of accessing these products is a need less talked about. The removal of barriers to access and the reimagination of pathways for delivering necessary treatment are essential to tackling this unmet need.

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Reflecting on Women and NCDs in COVID-19 Times

Before the pandemic crisis, women’s lives were already heavily affected by non-communicable diseases (NCDs), as women constitute the majority of the workforce in the healthcare sector and also function as main caregivers for family members at home. The pandemic has only exacerbated the disproportionate care burdens on women. If we are to build a more equitable world, we must start by addressing such imbalances.

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Building Back Better: Investing in healthy populations and resilient health systems for NCDs and Mental Health to be better prepared for future crises

An open letter to Heads of State and Government

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Opinion: Blended finance solutions to the NCD funding gap

Funding for noncommunicable disease care doesn’t match the need, but blended finance is a promising opportunity

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The heavy burden of poor health

Non-communicable diseases, obesity and the covid-19 impetus for building better health systems

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@FORESIGHTdk TWEETS
Global health policy

Pandemic builds potential for better global health

The novel coronavirus pandemic has exposed the fault lines in both global and national health infrastructures, highlighting inequalities and structural flaws. There has never been a timelier moment to focus on how to improve the resilience of health systems

The hidden health crisis

Obesity casts a big shadow

Building a GPS for doctors – the potential of learning elimination in healthcare

People power as the driver and disruptor for the NCD agenda

Addressing the Unmet Needs of People Living with Diabetes: 100 years after the discovery of insulin

A ruinous epidemic

Disease in disguise

NCDs in numbers

Double burden on the poor

Imagine a world of good health

Contagion of a social kind

Coronavirus could spur reforms to improve health of city dwellers

The promise and challenge of health tech

Opinion: Digital health care can bring fairer access for all

What our editors are reading

Excess Weight & COVID-19 by Public Health England

 Reports

This report provides evidence-based insights on the relationship between excess weight and COVID-19. Evidence has been brought together from UK and international studies published during the pandemic. These have been identified using a pragmatic methodology; the report is not a systematic review. Findings have been contextualised with information on the prevalence, causes, and risks of excess weight. Information on food and drink purchases and physical activity during lockdown is also included.

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Bridging the Gap on NCDs by NCD Alliance

 Reports

Since the first United Nations High-Level Meeting (UN HLM) on NCDs in 2011, the NCD community has been able to point to many successes on the global stage: Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) are recognised as the world’s biggest killer and cause of disability, constituting a global health crisis that requires an urgent policy response. This was acknowledged by world leaders at three UN HLMs on NCDs, meriting a dedicated target in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030.

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NCDs Progress Monitor 2020 by WHO

 Reports

The 2020 Progress Monitor provides data on the 19 indicators detailed in the Technical Note for all of WHO’s 194 Member States. The indicators include setting time-bound targets to reduce NCD deaths; developing all-of-government policies to address NCDs; implementing key tobacco demand reduction measures, measures to reduce harmful use of alcohol and unhealthy diets and promote physical activity; and strengthening health systems through primary health care and universal health coverage.

 Link to source