Nick Banatvala is the head of the Secretariat of the United Nations Inter-Agency Task Force on the Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases, in WHO, Geneva, that was established to bring the United Nations system and other inter-governmental organizations together to support governments in meeting the NCD-related Sustainable Development Goal targets. Nick is also an honorary professor at the University of Manchester, United Kingdom and honorary Senior Lecturer at Imperial College London. Pascal Bovet is a senior consultant and former professor of public health at the University Centre for Primary Care and Public Health (Unisanté) in Lausanne, Switzerland, and former head of the NCD Section and co-director of the WHO Collaborating Centre on Cardiovascular Diseases in Populations in Transition. Pascal has for many years advised governments across the world on preventing and controlling NCDs.
'Placing NCDs permanently on the global development agenda is critical to improving people's lives, opportunities, and future prospects, and advancing sustainable human development. The Compendium's accessible style means that it will be a first port of call for health and development professionals, including ministers and parliamentarians, across low-, middle- and high-income settings.' Helen Clark, Former Prime Minister of New Zealand and Former Administrator, United Nations Development Programme 'Confronting the rising tide of NCDs requires the collective efforts of political, community and business leaders, as well as health and other professionals. This comprehensive compendium describing priority interventions, written by international eminent experts, is an excellent guide for all those leading the fight against NCDs.' Danny Faure, Former President of Seychelles 'NCDs are the greatest challenge facing global health-not only because they are a growing cause of multimorbidity among ageing populations, but also because their successful control touches on some of the most fundamental questions about the organisation of our societies. The role of the state. The meaning of freedom. And the personal responsibility we owe to each other for protecting our health and wellbeing. This compendium provides the definitive starting point for a debate that will define the 21st century.' Richard Horton, Editor-in-Chief, The Lancet 'This Compendium with concise and action-oriented chapters covers all the key issues around NCDs, and is an essential resource for all those working to improve health at global, national and local levels. Building on the well-established WHO-Lausanne NCD seminars, this practical book deserves a place on the desk of all those working to strengthen policy, programming, patient care, and advocacy.' Lanka Jayasuriya-Dissanayake, Chairperson, Indira Cancer Trust; previously National Professional Officer (NCDs), WHO Sri Lanka; former WHO-Lausanne seminar participant