International Development Law Organization

Non-Communicable Diseases

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for widespread illness and disability, and over 70 per cent of all deaths worldwide, killing 41 million people worldwide every year. Key risk factors include unhealthy diets and physical inactivity, increasing the risk of life-threatening conditions such as diabetes and heart disease to men, women, girls, and boys of all income levels. Overall, unhealthy diets pose a greater risk to morbidity and mortality than do unsafe sex, alcohol, drug, and tobacco use combined.

The rule of law is a crucial part of the response to NCDs. Through regulation and fiscal reforms, countries can promote healthy diets, physical activity, and other initiatives reducing the prevalence and harms of NCDs. IDLO works extensively at this intersection of health, rule of law, and sustainable development, strengthening the capacity of civil society and other academic, health, and legal institutions to address large-scale public health crises. In support of international commitments to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), IDLO promotes the increasing international awareness of links between SDG 3 on healthy lives and wellbeing and other SGDs, especially SDG 16 on peace, justice, and strong institutions.

Statement by the Director-General, Jan Beagle at the Friends of the UN Task Force on the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases

Statement by the Director-General, Jan Beagle at the Friends of the UN Task Force on the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases: Working with Member States to Deliver the NCD-related SDG Targets during and beyond COVID-19

Global RECAP: Capacity building to prevent NCDs

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) kill 15 million people between the ages of 30 and 69, and over 86 per cent of these "premature" deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.The economic impact, including loss of income by people harmed by NCDs, the costs of treatment, and the impacts on families threaten international development. Through regulation and fiscal reforms, countries can promote healthy diets, physical activity, and other initiatives reducing the prevalence and harms of NCDs. 

Spotlight on NCDs at the UN: The intersection of health, gender and law

“The rule of law is a crucial part of the response to non-communicable diseases (NCDs),” IDLO’s Director-General, Irene Khan, told assembled Heads of State and Government in New York on the occasion of the 73rd United Nations General Assembly. “Yet, law is not necessarily the first thing that comes to mind. That is understandable.

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Key Initiatives

  • Promoting Healthy Diets and Physical Activity in Uganda
  • Promoting Healthy Diets and Physical Activity in Tanzania
  • Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) kill 15 million people between the ages of 30 and 69, and over 86 per cent of these "premature" deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.The economic impact, including loss of income by people harmed by NCDs, the costs of treatment, and the impacts on families threaten international development. Through regulation and fiscal reforms, countries can promote healthy diets, physical activity, and other initiatives reducing the prevalence and harms of NCDs. 
  • In 2014 IDLO signed agreements with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) to build legal capacity to address public health challenges. The initial focus is on obesity, diabetes, healthy diets and physical activity. Also in 2014, IDLO, the WHO and the University of Sydney convened the first regional consultation on overweight, obesity, diabetes and law in the Western Pacific.
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