Clockwise from back left - Sarah Ball (UCL Institute for Global Health), Professor David Price (UCL
Vice Provost - Research), Professor Malcolm Grant (UCL President and
Provost), Professor Anne Johnson (UCL Institute for Global Health),
Professor Michael Worton (UCL Vice Provost - Academic &
International), Professor Abdallah Daar (GACD Chair), Professor Anthony
Costello (UCL Institute for Global Health).
The Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases (GACD) today announced that UCL will host the organisation's secretariat, working to curb chronic diseases such as stroke, diabetes, chronic lung disease and heart disease throughout the world. The GACD brings together six of the world's foremost health agencies, collectively managing an estimated 80% of all public health research funding worldwide, to collaborate in the critical battle against chronic, non-communicable (not infectious) diseases. These diseases cause the greatest share of death and disability worldwide, accounting for over 60% of deaths - with nearly four-fifths of those fatalities being citizens of low and middle income countries. Unless action is taken, 388 million people worldwide will die of one or more such diseases within the next decade, as NCD deaths are projected to increase by 15% globally between 2010 and 2020. It is also estimated that China, India and the U.K. will lose an estimated $558 billion, $237 billion and $33 billion respectively in foregone national income over the next decade due to heart disease, stroke and diabetes - unless serious action is urgently taken. The Alliance coordinates research activities that will address on a global scale the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases. UCL was chosen to host the secretariat and awarded $640,000 following an international competition, due to its stature in global health issues and the strength of its proposal.
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