2000
- May 20, 2000 – WHO passes WHA 53.17, which calls for research, prevention, collaboration, and capacity building to prevent and control noncommunicable diseases
2002
- April 13, 2002 –The Salt Institute and other industry lobbying groups release their first comments on the DASH trials and otherwise attack and attempt to undermine the independent WHO/FAO expert report on Diet, Nutrition and the Prevention of Chronic Diseases, which calls for salt reduction as a means to reduce the risk of hypertension and proposes limiting free sugar intake as a means to reduce the risk of diabetes.
- May 18, 2002 – WHO passes WHA 55.23, which mandates that WHO develop a Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity, and Health
2003
- April 23, 2003 – WHO releases its Diet, Nutrition and the Prevention of Chronic Diseases Report, which specifically calls for salt reduction and limiting free sugar intake.
- April 23, 2003 – The Canadian Sugar Institute immediately releases a press statement undermining the WHO report and its conclusions.
- May 21, 2003 – WHO’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control is approved
- December 3, 2003 – Formation of the Oxford Health Alliance
The Oxford Health Alliance (formerly Oxford Vision 20/20) was formed in 2003 as an alliance between the University of Oxford and Novo Nordisk A/C to foster a co-ordinated approach, involving all stakeholders, with the aim of preventing epidemic chronic disease by addressing the three major risk factors.
2004
- WHO Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health is approved at the WHO Executive Board
2005
- April 18, 2005 – WHA58.22, on Cancer prevention and control is passed, which calls for improved access to diagnostics and treatment for many cancers
2007
- February 8, 2007 – Derek Yach, former Executive Director of the Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health cluster at the World Health Organization (WHO), is appointed as PepsiCo’s Director of Global Health Policy
- March 2, 2007 – KEI sends its Letter to WHO on the Essential Medicines List, outlining potentially essential medicines “if available from competitive generic suppliers at generic prices,” including several NCD medicines.
- September 15, 2007 – Caribbean states (CARICOM) hold a summit on NCDs that eventually compels CARICOM to support the UN General Assembly Resolution calling for a high-level meeting in 2011.
2008
- May 13, 2008 – CEOs of top food companies pledge to take voluntary steps to help address NCDs, thereby creating the International Food and Beverage Alliance
- May 28, 2008 – WHO’s Action Plan for the Global Strategy for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases (NCD Action Plan) is released and later endorsed by health ministers and approved at the 2009 World Health Assembly.
2009
- May 19, 2009 – The creation of the NCD Alliance is announced as a partnership between the International Diabetes Federation, Union for International Cancer Control, and World Heart Federation. The International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, which operates the Global Asthma Drug Facility–a procurement entity for generic asthma medicines–joined the NCD Alliance in March 2010.
- April 15, 2009 – The Bolivia, Suriname, and Bangladesh proposal for Prizes as a Reward Mechanism for New Cancer Treatments and Vaccines in Developing Countries is presented to WHO.
2010
- May 20, 2010 – UN General Assembly Resolution 64/265 formally approves the 2011 UN High Level Summit on NCDs
- September 17, 2010 – The NCD Alliance announces its Plan of Action for the 2011 UN Summit on NCDs
- September 24, 2010 – Medtronic Foundation, the corporate foundation of a major manufacturer of insulin pumps for diabetes, announces announces a $1M commitment to the NCD Alliance and its partners to support advocacy leading up to the 2011 UN High Level Meeting on NCDs.
The Medtronic Foundation commits to invest $1 million to support the Non-Communicable Diseases Alliance and its partners in order to ensure a productive and results-driven UN General Assembly Special Session on Non-Communicable Diseases, or NCDs, in 2011. The Foundation will invest in the World Heart Federation and the International Diabetes Federation, both NCD Alliance members, to help them develop key planning and advocacy activities, including a set of specific goals for the UN, in order to make these types of disease a global health priority.
- November 1, 2010 – The Center for Global Development releases its report, “Where Have All the Donors Gone? Scarce Donor Funding for Non-Communicable Diseases Working Paper 228” arguing for additional resources for NCDs
- November 10, 2010 – The Lancet releases its Chronic diseases and development series
- November 23, 2010 – The UN General Assembly releases its Note by the Secretary-General transmitting the report by the Director-General of the World Health Organization on the global status of non-communicable diseases, with a particular focus on the development challenges faced by developing countries
2011
- February 24-25, 2011 – PAHO Regional Meeting on NCDs in Mexico City
- March 2-3, 2011 – Partners in Health / NCD Alliance Conference on NCDs of the Bottom Billionin Boston
- March 14-17, 2011 – WHO / UNDESA UN Summit Regional Member States Consultation at the SEARO Regional Meeting on Health And Development Challenges of Noncommunicable Diseases (NCD) in Dhaka
- March 25-27, 2011 – WHO WPRO NCD Consultation, Seoul
- April 14-15, 2011 – Oxford Health Alliance Annual Meeting on NCDs, Oxford
- April 28-29, 2011 – Russia Ministerial Conference on NCDs, Moscow
- June 13-17, 2011 – The Global Health Council’s Annual Conference in Washington, DC will focus on NCDs
- September 19-20, 2011 – High-level Meeting of the United Nations General Assembly on the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases in New York