In the last few weeks, sadly, more than 150 people have died from oppressive heat in India. In Africa, while some countries are experiencing torrential rains, others are suffering from terrible droughts. At the recent Commonwealth Health Ministers Meeting in Geneva, collectively we considered how climate change is increasing the incidence of vector-borne diseases – not only spreading malaria but other dangerous diseases, like the recent dengue outbreak in Samoa.
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Commonwealth Secretary General: Small island developing states need finance to tackle climate crisis
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London, UK - June 22, 2024: The Commonwealth Secretariat in collaboration with the Indian High Commission in the UK and Heartfulness Worldwide today held a special yoga session at Marlborough House to celebrate the 10th International Day of Yoga.
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Uniting for Health: Commonwealth and Global Partners Celebrate 10th International Day of Yoga
Advocates for vision health are calling for urgent and collaborative action across the Commonwealth to address the impact of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) on eyesight.
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Why eye health is critical to the Commonwealth's vision for tackling non-communicable diseases
Commonwealth health ministers have reaffirmed their commitment to accelerating efforts to eliminate malaria.
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‘Remember the children’, minister urges concerted action on malaria
The Commonwealth health ministers have come together to pledge a joint action to help create resilient health systems for small and vulnerable states.
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Health ministers pledge joint action to build climate-resilient health systems
Commonwealth health ministers, senior government officials, global health leaders and civil society groups will meet in Geneva from 24 to 25 May 2024 to examine practical interventions that will enable countries, particularly small and vulnerable states, to strengthen their health systems and recover effectively from exogenous shocks.
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Commonwealth ministers to join forces to strengthen health systems amid escalating threats
The burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is not equitable in the world or across the Commonwealth. NCDs are collectively responsible for the deaths of 41 million people per year, accounting for 74 per cent of deaths worldwide. Each year, 17 million people die from an NCD before the age of 70 – and almost 50 per cent of these deaths occur in Commonwealth countries. The Commonwealth is disproportionately affected by premature, preventable deaths due to NCDs, which in turn have a profound impact on economic prosperity and are a major threat to sustainable development.
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Addressing the Rising Burden of Non-communicable Diseases in the Commonwealth: Full Report
26 May 2024 to 26 May 2024
(CEST)
Event
The Commonwealth Secretariat and the World Health Organisation will host a side event focused on advancing digital health maturity in the margins of the 36th Commonwealth Health Ministers Meeting (CHMM), as part of the broader Global Initiative on Digital Health (GIDH).
Today, global leaders, policymakers, and experts convened at the Commonwealth Secretariat’s London headquarters to address the critical intersection of human and planetary health in the face of escalating climate change.
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Commonwealth and PATH rally global leaders for One Health approach in climate battle
9 May 2024 to 9 May 2024
(BST (UK time))
Event
The Commonwealth Secretariat and PATH are hosting an event titled "One Health Approach: Moving from Siloed Thinking to Smart and Systemic Action" on Thursday, 9 May 2024, at Marlborough House in London, UK. This event will gather esteemed global leaders, policymakers, and experts to address the critical intersection of human and planetary health.
Stakeholders across the Commonwealth have called for increased multisectoral collaboration to implement the Commonwealth Youth-led NCD Guiding Framework – a blueprint that addresses the rising burden of non-communicable diseases in Commonwealth countries.
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Commonwealth, stakeholders leverage multisectoral collaboration to promote Youth-led NCD Guiding Framework
Blog by Janneth Mghamba, Health Adviser and Emily Gilmour, Health Officer
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Blog: A renewed commitment to end the epidemic of malaria in the Commonwealth by 2030
The Commonwealth Advisory Committee on Health (CACH) has proposed a range of priority areas for health ministers to consider at the 36th Commonwealth Health Ministers Meeting in May this year, which will be held in the margins of the World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland.
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Commonwealth Advisory Committee proposes range of health priorities for crucial Health Ministers Meeting
Officials attending the inaugural meeting of the Commonwealth Heads of Procurement Network (HOPN) have underscored the importance of supporting countries to secure essential vaccines, medicines, and other health products.
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New Commonwealth network to support knowledge exchange on medicines and vaccine procurement
A Commonwealth association representing health professionals and activists is encouraging health ministers to seriously consider their six-point plan to improve healthcare systems as they meet at the upcoming Commonwealth Health Ministers Meeting (CHMM).
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Commonwealth health ministers to consider civil society recommendations on workforce and climate change-related health challenges
24 May 2024 to 25 May 2024
(CET)
Event
Health Ministers, senior government officials, global health leaders and advocates will join the Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt. Hon Patricia Scotland KC, for the 36th Commonwealth Health Ministers Meeting (36CHMM). The meeting will be held in Geneva, Switzerland, on the margins of the 77th World Health Assembly.
Health Ministers, senior government officials, global health leaders and advocates will join the Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt. Hon Patricia Scotland KC, for the 36th Commonwealth Health Ministers Meeting (36CHMM). The meeting will be held on 24 and 25 May 2024 in Geneva, Switzerland, on the margins of the 77th World Health Assembly.
Stakeholders from across the Commonwealth shared inspiring and compelling messages calling for increased screening, vaccination, and heightened awareness to reduce the burden of cervical cancer.
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‘When we don’t act, women die’: Commonwealth voices share powerful messages for Cervical Cancer Awareness Month
31 January 2024 to 31 January 2024
Event
Across the Commonwealth, it is estimated that one woman will die of cervical cancer every three minutes if no action is taken by 2030.
Delegates at a two-day Commonwealth conference have outlined strategies and actions to achieve true equity and inclusion for all persons with disabilities.
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Secretary-General pledges support to ‘strong and unified’ disability movement
The Commonwealth Secretariat has launched a new framework that offers governments a practical guide to addressing the rising burden of cancers and non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
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Commonwealth intensifies efforts to reduce NCD risk behaviours in children, adolescents and youth
A high-level event on the intersection of climate change and mental health has considered how policymakers can best address the needs of vulnerable people, especially vulnerable women.
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Women diplomats call for greater focus on mental health and climate action
As the role of digital technologies becomes more critical in healthcare delivery, Seychelles has joined the list of countries seeking to assess their digital readiness using the digital health maturity assessment tool, a resource developed in partnership between the Commonwealth Secretariat, the Commonwealth Centre for Digital Health (CWCDH), and the World Health Organization (WHO).
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Seychelles health system is bolstered by Commonwealth-WHO partnership
16 November 2023 to 16 November 2023
(GMT)
Event
The Commonwealth Secretariat is hosting a hybrid event at Marlborough House in London during London Global Cancer Week (LGCW 2023), to be staged from 11 - 17 November 2023.
Guest blog by Salome Mosha and Gideon Gachihi, Commonwealth youth leaders and mental health advocates.
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Blog: Commonwealth youth call for urgent action on mental health