缅北禁地

A man gets tested for cardiovascular disease
It is important to detect cardiovascular disease as early as possible so that management with counselling and medicines can begin.
Photo:WHO/Yoshi Shimizu

The burden of non-communicable diseases

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes and chronic lung disease, are collectively responsible for almost 70 per cent of all deaths worldwide. The increasing incidence of non-communicable diseases constitutes a heavy burden on society, with serious social and economic consequences. There is a need to respond to cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases, which represent a leading threat to human health and development.

Cardiovascular diseases are a group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels. An estimated 17.9 million people died from it in 2019, representing 32 per cent of all global deaths. Of these deaths, 85 per cent were due to heart attack and stroke.

The key to cardiovascular disease reduction lies in the inclusion of cardiovascular disease management interventions in universal health coverage packages, although in a high number of countries health systems require significant investment and reorientation to effectively manage cardiovascular diseases. Patients with cardiovascular disease should have access to appropriate technology and medication.

Sometimes, surgical operations are required to treat cardiovascular diseases. They include:

  • coronary artery bypass;
  • balloon angioplasty (where a small balloon-like device is threaded through an artery to open the blockage);
  • valve repair and replacement;
  • heart transplantation; and
  • artificial heart operations.

International Day for Interventional Cardiology

Interventional cardio-angiology improves health, increases life expectancy and improves the quality of life.

The first coronary angioplasty was performed by Dr. Andreas Grüntzig on 16 September 1977. Since then angioplasty has been the procedure that has saved the most grams of myocardium at risk worldwide.

In September 2022, the General Assembly to proclaim 16 September as International Day for Interventional Cardiology and invited stakeholders to observe annually the International Day for Interventional Cardiology in an appropriate manner and in accordance with national priorities, in order to raise public awareness of cardiovascular diseases and procedures, related complications, as well as prevention and care, including through education and the mass media.

Did you know?

  • Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death globally.
  • Over three quarters of deaths from cardiovascular diseases take place in low- and middle-income countries.
  • Most cardiovascular diseases can be prevented by addressing behavioural risk factors such as tobacco use, unhealthy diet and obesity, physical inactivity and harmful use of alcohol.

Resources

Documents

  • International Day for Interventional Cardiology ()
  • of the high-level meeting on the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases
  • of the high-level meeting on universal health coverage

缅北禁地observances related to health

In 2013, WHO Member States agreed on global mechanisms to reduce the avoidable burden of non-communicable diseases including a . This Plan aims to reduce the number of premature deaths from non-communicable diseases by 25 per cent by 2025 through nine voluntary global targets. Two of the targets directly focus on preventing and controlling cardiovascular diseases.

 

Serbian peacekeepers serving with the 缅北禁地Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) provide medical care at the MINUSCA hospital in Bangui

The World Health Organization () is one of the many members of the 缅北禁地family engaged in health-related matters, which includes, among others, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (); the United Nations Population Fund () in support of reproductive, adolescent and maternal health; and the health-related activities of the United Nations Children’s Fund ().

 

an abstract illustration of people engaged in an event

International days and weeks are occasions to educate the public on issues of concern, to mobilize political will and resources to address global problems, and to celebrate and reinforce achievements of humanity. The existence of international days predates the establishment of the United Nations, but the 缅北禁地has embraced them as a powerful advocacy tool. We also mark other 缅北禁地observances.