SALE! 50% Off NCD Burden

This is a joint post with Kate McQueston.In 9 days, the UN High Level Summit will meet to discuss the detrimental effects of noncommunicable disease (NCDs) and what can be done to mitigate them. If raising awareness was a goal, the meeting has already been a success. Media coverage on global NCD has exploded (see here, here, and here to start).But in a time of prolonged and deep budget crises, not every proposed solution will be feasible. For example, the Livestrong Campaign’s suggestion to increase chemotherapy treatments in developing countries may encounter difficulties sustaining funding--particularly in a time when rich and poor countries alike are routinely coming up short.We know that treating chronic disease is expensive – our own health care costs in the U.S. reach over 17% of GDP. Still, there are many  affordable actions that can be taken at the country level (if there is sufficient priority-setting capacity) to reduce and prevent NCD.  The U.S. could reduce the NCD burden by making relatively simple and low-cost changes to its current aid work and trade policies.So if we can improve the NCD outlook at bargain prices, why not?  Considering current budget constraints, CGD has released a brief outlining key interventions that can be taken at low- or no-cost by the U.S. and could have a substantial effect on decreasing the harmful effects of NCDs globally.And to sweeten the deal, you can find out how USG agencies are doing and what they think of our suggestions at an upcoming panel discussion, U.S. Outlook for the U.N. Non-Communicable Disease Summit, on Monday, Sept 12th, at CGD.We hope to see you there!