The Lancet: NCD Countdown 2030: strengthening accountability
Editorial Board

“One of the most powerful forces to emerge from the MDG era has been the idea of accountability. … Governments prefer mutual accountability. But … [w]hat is needed is independent accountability … This week, The Lancet, in collaboration with public health scientists, civil society leaders, and WHO, launches a new independent accountability mechanism — NCD Countdown 2030 — to monitor and review progress towards preventing, treating, and controlling non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The Sustainable Development Goals, agreed by all nations of the world, promise to reduce by one-third premature mortality from NCDs by 2030. At present rates of progress, most countries will not meet their 2030 commitments. Accountability is partly about naming and shaming. But, more importantly, accountability is about identifying the specific measures countries must take to improve the likelihood of meeting their stated commitments. Today is therefore an important inflexion point in the history of attempts to prevent, treat, and control NCDs. The promises made by the international community must be delivered” (9/22).

The Lancet: GLOBOCAN 2018: counting the toll of cancer
Editorial Board

“…A heart-breaking truth is that many cancers could be prevented by stronger public health action … But not all cancers can be prevented, so timely and universal access to quality care, diagnostics, and affordable, proven treatments is also necessary. No community is untouched by cancer, but for those without a cancer registry, the burden remains unseen and unaddressed. The value of [GLOBOCAN, a recently published web-based platform that presents global cancer statistics,] is to aggregate findings in an accessible format that makes cancer burdens visible and unlocks the power of data to kindle ideas and actions. But the real test for GLOBOCAN is the extent to which resulting policies improve outcomes and narrow the shameful inequalities in survival between populations” (9/22).