About Us Dr. David MorrisonHuman Rights BionoteHuman Rights BookRecent Activities Select Presentations Links 4C's Self-Assessment Services and Fees Contact Us Code of Ethics Cherry Valley Church Strathmor 'Blog Spot'

Non-communicable Diseases and Human Rights

Dr Morrison has responded to a request from the Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) Alliance to help prepare for a special UN General Assembly in New York in September.

His role is to create a working group and develop a policy paper on Human Rights and NCDs. During the first week of April 2011 he held several one-on-one meetings in Geneva, which proved riveting, productive and enjoyable. These included meetings/contacts and sharing documents with the executive directors from the UNHRC, WHO, World Medical Association, World Heart, UICC (Cancer), International Diabetes, several NGOs involved with health issues, plus others and certainly including the NCDs Alliance secretariat.

Background Notes

Papers, Reports and Documents

Background Notes

Here are some background notes about the projected Special UN General Assembly:

The UN General Assembly, the principal decision-making body of the UN which represents all UN member states, has decided to hold a UN Summit on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in order to bring global attention to these diseases and agree on a plan of action to address them.

What is the focus of the Summit? - In May 2010, UN member states passed UN resolution 64/265, which states that the Summit will focus on the ‘four most prominent non-communicable diseases, namely, cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes’, and the ‘common risk factors of tobacco use, alcohol abuse, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and environmental carcinogens.’

Who is it being organised by? - The UN Summit on NCDs will be organized under the direction of the UN General Assembly, with the support of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs and the World Health Organization (WHO).

When and where will it take place? - The meeting will take place at UN Headquarters in New York on 19-20th September 2011.

Papers, Documents and Reports:

The Non-Communicable Diseases Alliance Briefing Paper - Non-Communicable Diseases and the Rights-Based Movement

Non-Communicable Diseases and Human Rights (longer document)