Norway launches national NCD strategy

Norway is the first country to launch a national NCD strategy in response to commitments made in the WHO Global Action Plan on NCDs adopted at the 2013 World Health Assembly. 

“Non communicable lifestyle diseases are the greatest health challenge of our time, both in Norway and globally. These illnesses can often be prevented. We have to do better in prevention, early detection and promoting health across all sectors of society” Minister of Health Jonas Gahr Støre.

100 years ago, communicable diseases were the primary causes of premature death in Norway with poverty as the major risk factor. Today, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for 80% of Norwegian deaths, many premature. The major risk factors the country now faces are tobacco, alcohol, sugar, fat and physical inactivity.

Norway has pledged to achieve a 25% reduction in premature mortality due to NCDs by 2025, a globally agreed target in the WHO Global Monitoring Framework for NCDs. Since NCDs share many similar causes and risk factors, NCDs need to be addressed with a comprehensive strategy. Støre explains “With this NCD-strategy, Norway is the first country to meet its WHO obligations with a consolidated effort to prevent and treat NCDs.”

The Norwegian NCD-Alliance, which consists of The Norwegian Diabetes Association, The Norwegian Cancer Society, The Norwegian Heart and Lung Patient Organization and Norwegian Health Association, collaborated on the development and preparation of this strategy. The work will be followed up by the Alliance. In addition, a public health advisory Board, chaired by the Minister of Health, has been established in order to attract political attention and cross sectorial support for the strategy. Støre commented on the importance of the NCD Alliance and public support: “I appreciate the close cooperation we have had with the NCD Alliance on this Strategy. We need to take the greatest epidemic of our time seriously. Too many will die prematurely if we do not direct our attention to prevention and treatment of NCDs. To succeed we depend on close cooperation with civil society”. Anne Lise Ryel, Secretary General of the Norwegian Cancer Society, added that “It means that the work that our organizations have done in this particular field is recognized. It will be noticed that Norway was the first country to follow up the obligations to the WHO and to prepare a joint strategy on NCDs.”

Picture: Anne Lise Ryel, Secretary General of the Norwegian Cancer Society and MoH Jonas Gahr Støre.