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Ole Frithjof Norheim member of new Lancet commission on NCDs

Professor and research group leader Ole Frithjof Norheim is one of 22 commissioners contributing to the new Lancet Commission on Refraiming NCDs and and Injuries for the Poorest Billion.

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By Eirik Joakim TranvågPublished: 24.09.2015

Non Communical Diseases and Injuries is a huge burden for low and middle income countries. NCDs are seen by many as problems linked to ageing, lifestyle choices and affluence; but diseases like diabetes, depression, epilepsy, rheumatic heart disease, kidney disease and also road injuries have a large impact on morbidity and mortality for the poorest.

NCDs are included in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and now the Lancet Commission on Refraiming NCDs and Injuries for the Poorest Billion is launched. They aim to "provide the analytical basis for country-level investments that prioritise the needs of the most indigent" and will work over 18 months with ten partner-countries and a group of high-level advisers.

Professor and leader of the Global Health Priorities Research Group Ole Frithjof Norheim is one of the 22 members of the commission. The commissions work, including the meeting schedule and all publications can be seen on the commssions webpage. More background info about NCDs and the commission can be read in a Lancet comment.

NCD facts:

Almost three quarters of NCD deaths - 28 million - occur in low- and middle-income countries.
Sixteen million NCD deaths occur before the age of 70; 82% of these "premature" deaths occurred in low- and middle-income countries.
Cardiovascular diseases account for most NCD deaths, or 17.5 million people annually, followed by cancers (8.2 million), respiratory diseases (4 million), and diabetes (1.5 million).
These 4 groups of diseases account for 82% of all NCD deaths.

(Source: WHO)