• UN Summit on Non-Communicable Diseases
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  • The UN Summit on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDS), hosted by the UN General Assembly from 19-20 September 2011, put the world’s leading causes of death on the international agenda.

    NCDs claimed 36m lives in 2008, some 63% of global deaths, principally from cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer and chronic respiratory infections.

    The Summit had three objectives:

    1. Coordinated global response to NCDs
    2. Funding to save millions from premature death
    3. Measurable targets for Governments
    UN building

    19-20 September 2011, New York

  • Diabetes FoundationWorld Heart FoundationUICCInternational Union against Tuberculosis & Lung Disease

  • Value of vaccinating against NCDs

    Imagewise Adrian Brooks NICARAGUA 2E9B0836

    Almost a fifth of all cancer cases are caused by infections. Hepatitis B is a major cause of liver cancer. Human papillomavirus causes virtually all cervical cases. Vaccines are available to prevent both these infections, raising the possibility that one-day vaccines could be developed to fight other types of cancer.

    Any global strategy that aims to tackle NCDs should take note of the power of vaccines. For just a few dollars per child, vaccines can prevent disability and disease for a lifetime. The benefits run through entire economies. Families can be more productive. Communities and societies are more prosperous. Read more

  • Comment from Seth Berkley

  • GAVI & Non-Communicable Diseases

    GAVI’s support for new and underused vaccines is contributing to the fight against the second leading cause of NCD deaths: cancer.

    Liver cancer

    Hepatitis B (hepB) vaccines target a major cause of liver cancer, which accounts for nine percent of all cancer deaths. Since its foundation in 2000, GAVI support for hepB vaccines has averted approximately 3.4 million deaths.

    Cervical cancer

    Human papillomavirus (HPV) causes virtually all cervical cancer cases. HPV vaccines, which are widely available in high-income countries, are rarely present on the immunisation cards of girls in low-income countries. GAVI has prioritised HPV vaccines for future support.

    cervical_cancer_cases_in_gavi-eligible_countries

    Increasing cervical cancer cases and deaths in GAVI-eligible countries.

  • Affordable cures

    Reducing vaccine prices and securing stable supply are critical to increasing access to the vaccines that can prevent NCDs.

    Hepatitis B vaccine shows what can be achieved. With increased demand from developing countries and growing competition among vaccine manufacturers, the cost of the hepB vaccine fell 68% from 2000-2010.

    The high price of HPV vaccines is currently a barrier to their introduction in developing countries. GAVI is working with manufacturers to lower the cost to an affordable and sustainable level.

  • From 2002 to 2006, GAVI and the Chinese government co-funded a US$ 76 million project to target the vaccination of newborns and children under five in the western and central provices.

  • Did you know

    • 80% of NCDs occurr in low- and middle-income countries
    • 70% of cancer deaths in 2008 occurred in low- and middle-income countries
    • WHO considers hepB immunisation among the “best buys” in preventing NCDs on a population-wide basis.
    • Liver cancer killed 700,000 people in 2008: 9% of all cancer deaths
    • 275,000 women died of cervical cancer in 2008. 88% of these deaths occurred in developing countries

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