WHA Concludes With Several Resolutions, Including Pledge To Tackle NCDs
“After seven days of intense discussions, the 66th World Health Assembly (WHA) concluded with agreement on a range of new public health measures and recommendations aimed at securing greater health benefits for all people, everywhere,” a WHO press release reports, noting “24 resolutions and five decisions were adopted by the nearly 2,000 delegates representing the [WHO] Member States” (5/27). Devex summarizes “five takeaways” from the meeting, including the WHO 2014-2015 budget, neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), non-communicable diseases (NCDs), mental health, and leadership priorities (Ravelo, 5/28). BMJ reports on the NCD resolution, writing, “The WHA resolution highlighted the importance of tackling non-communicable diseases by stating that of the 57 million deaths that occurred globally in 2008, an estimated 63 percent were caused by non-communicable diseases.” BMJ adds, “The assembly also agreed that by the end of 2013, WHO would set up a mechanism to coordinate activities and promote engagement on non-communicable diseases on a global scale” (Gulland, 5/29).
The KFF Daily Global Health Policy Report summarized news and information on global health policy from hundreds of sources, from May 2009 through December 2020. All summaries are archived and available via search.