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Minister Mattila appointed to the WHO High-Level Commission of Noncommunicable Diseases

social- och hälsovårdsministeriet
Publication date 16.2.2018 13.02
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Pirkko Mattila, Minister of Social Affairs and Health, was appointed to the WHO High-Level Commission on Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs). President of the Republic Sauli Niinistö will co-chair the Commission, together with the Heads of State of Uruguay and Sri Lanka.

NCDs include, for example, cancers, cardiovascular diseases, diseases of the respiratory system and diabetes. In 2015, approximately 40 million people died worldwide from these diseases. 

Tackling premature deaths related to noncommunicable diseases and promoting mental health are included in the objectives of Agenda 2030, the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN. Risk factors related to national diseases can be prevented, and the factors are the same both in developed and developing countries.

The term of the Commission will continue until October 2019. The Commission will give recommendations and take new initiatives relating to prevention and management of diseases.

– Finland has a lot to give to the international community when it comes to prevention and treatment of long-term illnesses. At the same time, we ourselves can learn new ways of action, tackle premature deaths from long-term illnesses and improve patients' quality of life, says Minister Mattila.

Monitoring noncommunicable diseases will be discussed at the UN General Assembly in 2018.

Inquiries:

Special Adviser Kari Synberg, tel. +358 295 163 106, +358 50 574 2297, [email protected]

Ministerial Adviser Sirpa Sarlio, tel. +358 295 163 328, +358 50 554 4419, [email protected]

 
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