Geneva, Switzerland, 12 September, 2011 -- The world's health professions have launched an easy-to-use, practical guide to help individuals and their health professionals reduce the risk of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) – conditions which currently account for 60% of global deaths (1). The WHPA Health Improvement Card consists of a health scorecard, with "how to" explanatory guides for individuals and health professionals.
This is part of efforts by the World Health Professions Alliance WHPA to reduce the burden of noncommunicable diseases worldwide. WHPA represents 26 million nurses, pharmacists, physical therapists, dentists and physicians across 130 countries. It is concerned by the global epidemic of noncommunicable disease – such as cardiovascular disease, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, diabetes, mental disorders and oral diseases – because it represents a significant threat to human health and social and economic development.
"What has been missing from the global stage up to now is a vehicle to empower both patients and individuals to take responsibility for improving their health," said WHPA spokesperson Jean-Luc Eiselé, Chief Executive Officer, FDI World Dental Federation. "The WHPA Health Improvement Card does just that. It has been developed by health professionals with input from patients, health partners, and the WHO, to educate individuals on positive behaviour and lifestyle changes."
"It is a simple, universal educational tool which allows everyone to assess and record their lifestyle/ behavioural and biometric risk factors. It helps individuals and their health professional take a proactive approach to prevent NCDs and associated disability."
The information obtained through the card can help individuals and health professionals develop interventions to address individuals' risk factors and actively improve their health and well-being. They are shown how to:
- avoid tobacco use and harmful alcohol consumption
- improve diet
- undertake regular sufficient physical activity
- achieve and maintain healthy weight
- manage tension and stress
- access preventive care and screening for preventable illness.
For more information about the WHPA NCD campaign please see www.whpa.org/ncd_campaign.htm or send an email to whpa.ncd@wma.net
1. Global status report on noncommunicable diseases 2010. Geneva, World Health Organization, 2011.
About WHPA
The World Health Professionals Alliance WHPA is a unique alliance of The International Council of Nurses (ICN), the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), the World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT), the FDI World Dental Federation (FDI) and the World Medical Association (WMA). WHPA addresses global health issues striving to help deliver cost effective, quality health care worldwide. Together, the partners of the WHPA include more than 600 national member organizations, making WHPA the key point of global access to health care professionals within the five disciplines.