WHO Regional Committee for the Western Pacific to review WHO

WHO Press Release

WHO Regional Committee for the Western Pacific to review WHO's work

Manila, Philippines, 7 October 2011—The epidemic of noncommunicable diseases will be a major focus of the World Health Organization's Regional Committee for the Western Pacific when it meets here on 10–14 October to review WHO's work and to ensure that programmes are on track. The Regional Committee is WHO's governing body in the Region.

The noncommunicable diseases – heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory disease – account for 80% of all deaths in the 37 countries and areas of the Western Pacific Region.

Last month, the diseases and their four shared risk factors – tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and the harmful use of alcohol – were the subject of a historic summit at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. More than 30 heads of state and government attended.

Dr Shin Young-soo, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific, will report to our 100 delegates, including Ministers of Health from the Region, about how WHO's work has fared over the past year and his proposals for the work going forward.

For the full version of the news release: http://www.wpro.who.int/media_centre/press_releases/pr_20111008.htm

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