Non-communicable diseases--finally on the global agenda

After the UN Millennium Development Goals were declared in September 2000 (see Table 1), one of the major short-comings recognized world-wide was the lack of mention of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). While AIDS and malaria were included, none of the leading and universal non-communicable causes of death made the list. There was no mention of cardiovascular diseases, cancer or diabetes, even though these place a far greater burden on global health and economic development than the infectious diseases, and are predicted to continue to increase in epidemic proportions. After much public discussion and intense lobbying, a significant-and uncommon-achievement occurred: on May 13th, 2010, the United Nations General Assembly voted in favour of convening a summit on non-communicable diseases, to take place in September 2011.