The world wide action for NCD control is still insufficient. By setting an alliance among relevant organizations involved in cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes towards a common goal, may lead to a great achievement in the prevention of the four major chronic diseases. I believe that it is vital and useful to have a platform for multiple stakeholders to discuss and debate on NCD measures.

World Movement and challenges revolving NCD

NCD is the second largest health problem after AIDS. In December 2006, the UN set its resolution for eradication of diabetes as the first step for NCD control. The eradication of diabetes campaign is symbolized by a blue circle. “Blue” represents the United Nations and the sky, and the “wheel” represents unity, the campaign is now being promoted all over the world. This strategy paid off, an International organization was established based on the four major diseases including diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory disease. Although the efforts are seen in the corporation of both diabetes and cardiovascular disease groups in setting treatment guidelines, the world wide action plans for the four major diseases is still far insufficient. Even in the effort of International Diabetes Federation, it is difficult to set a same tone for working towards diabetes eradication. The basic organization structures of each country are different, for example, Japan and the other countries in West Pacific region are highly represented by medical doctors and researchers, while the other countries have representative from other occupational areas.

Possibility in setting up cross-disease platform

It is possible to have impactful results when the various related organizations work together in preventing the four major diseases. However, we need to understand that while lifestyle and smoking habit remain as the common factors for sleep apnea disease, breast and colon cancers, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, there are individual unique factors that needed to be taken into account. It is necessary to examine both the common and individual factors in details.

It would be great to have a platform for the multi-stakeholders to discuss about measurements for the cross chronic diseases. I feel that it is necessary to have as many people in the nation to know about NCD related information, and to get people from a variety of related field interested. When disseminating the information to the public, instead of telling them the common risk factors for the four major diseases, it is more important to tell them “if we could implement X policy, the risk of the four major chronic diseases will reduce to Z”.

As Chairman of the International Diabetes Federation Western Pacific area, I wish to assist as much as I can to promote measures for NCD-control at home and abroad. I believe that if the platform for cross chronic diseases can focus on preventing the four major diseases, it will create a great impact to the current NCD-control effort.