U.S. Mission hosts Roundtable Discussion on NCD Targets and Indicators
The Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), the U.S. Mission and the Mission of Panama co-hosted a roundtable discussion on the development of targets and indicators for the prevention and control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). U.S. Ambassador Betty E. King delivered opening remarks; the audience also heard from Dr. John Seffrin, CEO of the American Cancer Society, Mr. Michel Rudolphie, CEO of the Dutch Cancer Society, Ambassador Jessie Solano de Marach of Panama, and Dr. Oleg Chestnov, Assistant Director-General for NCDs and Mental Health at the World Health Organization. Ambassador King pointed out that the United States is "strongly committed to raising profile of NCDs as a major global public health concern” as NCDs account for 70% of US deaths and limit daily activities of nearly 10% of the US population. She also reminded the audience, which included civil society, private sector representatives, and fellow UN diplomats, that “NCDs are truly a global problem and will require action from each of us to turn the tide.”
U.S. Mission Photo by Eric Bridiers