M. Walport, P. Brest
Feb 12, 2011
Citations
7
Influential Citations
245
Citations
Quality indicators
Journal
The Lancet
Abstract
The purpose of medical research is to analyse and understand health and disease. A key and expensive element is the study of populations to explore how interactions between behaviour and environment, in the context of genetic diversity, determine causation and variation in health and disease. As funders of public health research, we need to ensure that research outputs are used to maxi mise knowledge and potential health benefi ts. In turn, the populations who participate in research, and the tax payers who foot the bill, have the right to expect that every last ounce of knowledge will be wrung from the research. Ensuring data are made widely available to the research community accelerates the pace of discovery and enhances the effi ciency of the research enterprise. In many research fi elds—from genetics and molecular biology to the social sciences—data sharing is already ingrained in how researchers work. In genetics and genomics, the pooling of studies of diff erent populations has led to an explosion of knowledge on determinants related to non-communicable diseases, and action from global to local levels on the prevention of these diseases. A key summit deliverable will be agreement on a global price tag to implement the solutions, building on the results of the second Series and the data in the third paper of this Series. We have evidence on the cost of these diseases—now we must cost the global solutions. Non-communicable diseases need to be built into global development targets, particularly the successor goals to the MDGs after the current goals expire in 2015. Finally, we must work tirelessly to ensure that the outcomes statement from the UN Meeting contains measurable commitments for which leaders can be held to account. As a group of federations representing over 880 member associations in 170 countries, we believe that a broad and unifi ed civil-society movement is essential to a successful summit. We are pleased to announce the formation of the NCD Alliance Common Interest Group (CIG), which will provide a platform of engagement for non-governmental organisations and create a powerful network to raise the profi le of non-communicable diseases. Through this group, the Alliance will inform, engage, and mobilise by providing campaign materials, news updates, a platform to share ideas, establishing working groups, and holding regular teleconference briefi ngs. The CIG can be joined by visiting the NCD Alliance website. This Lancet Series highlights not only the many challenges ahead in successfully addressing the global burden of non-communicable diseases, but also shows the impressive progress we have made over the previous decade. We must continue to build on this progress and ensure the UN Highlevel Meeting moves beyond rhetoric and produces concrete outcomes. We will have only one chance to dialogue with the world’s leaders and heads of state on non-communicable diseases in September, 2011. We have the arguments, evidence, and solutions, further strengthened by determination and political will. For us, the High-level Meeting is an unprecedented opportunity.