The moment for caring: Global Week for Action on NCDs
14-21 September 2023
13 September 2023
This year's Global Week for Action on NCDs (non-communicable or chronic diseases) focuses on the moment for caring ahead of the United Nations High Level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage taking place in New York on 21st September 2023.
ACDPA's members care a lot.
Individually, our members work to improve the lives of millions of Australians living with a chronic condition, like cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, kidney disease and lung disease.
Together, we work to elevate attention, investment and action on preventing chronic diseases before they start, and risk assessment and early detection to intervene early to reduce risk and progression of diseases. There are many synergies between chronic diseases - for example the influence of food or social circumstances on health, and the experiences people have when accessing health care.
Acting early to promote and protect health improves health and wellbeing outcomes for everyone - reducing health impacts on people's lives, communities and the health system.
Key stats:
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1 in 2 Australians have a long-term chronic disease like cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes or kidney disease.
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1 in 5 Australians have multiple chronic conditions.
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Chronic diseases are the leading cause of death and disability in Australia. Around half of all hospitalisations are due to chronic conditions.
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38 percent of chronic disease burden could be prevented by addressing modifiable risk factors like smoking, overweight and obesity, unhealthy diets, alcohol, physical inactivity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and high blood glucose.
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Chronic conditions account for around one-third of the national health budget, but spending on prevention is limited to around 1.5 percent.
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Millions of Australians are living with undiagnosed conditions or at high risk of chronic disease. Yet many are unaware of their underlying condition or risk, and the potential for behavioural changes or treatments to reduce risk.
What can you do?
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Follow ACDPA at @ACDPAlliance on X(Twitter), ACDPA on LinkedIn, or ACDPA on Instagram -
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Raise your voice and share your story.
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Check out the activations happening all around the world through the #ActOnNCDs hashtag across social media. Visit www.ActOnNCDs.org for more information about the campaign.
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Take a quick online risk test to understand your risk of disease and visit your GP for a health check.
The Global Week for Action on NCD is led by the global @ncdalliance and shared by chronic disease groups and individuals around the world.
