Non-Communicable Diseases: Hidden Burden of Cities in Asia

The WHO projects that by 2030, total annual death by NCDs will reach 55 million. The growth of cities also means an increase in demand for housing, food and other basic resources without which may hinder well-being of its citizens. Urbanization also perpetuates a more sedentary lifestyle, which increases the risk of NCDs such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity. Led by the Center for Indonesian Medical Students’ Activities (CIMSA), the UN MGCY and other youth health organizations, this experience-sharing session will provide an important space to highlight challenges and solutions relating to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and their impact on urban health and well being. This event will consist of presentations delivered by speakers representing youth organizations, academia, and health sector, followed by a panel discussion to highlight some policy recommendations to fight NCDs. The presentations will introduce the NCD problem in urban spaces, and the interlinkages between NCDs with other indicators relating to urban health and wellbeing. It will be followed by case presentations from CIMSA and other youth organizations who will share how they are undertaking healthy lifestyle promotion and NCD-prevention through their various community empowerment and advocacy projects at a local, national (Indonesia) and international level. This would be followed by a discussion amongst speakers and audience about scalable solutions and policy recommendations to curb the urban NCD crisis at a local and national level. Being aware of non-communicable diseases and their risk factors should be known to respective urban actors and members of the public, especially due to the rapid growth of urbanization and its impact on health.