Latest content: Health

This roadmap establishes a framework for how Commonwealth member countries can promote healthy ageing across the life-course for all citizens, and address the current and future challenges arising from ageing populations. It offers recommendations that aim to align policies and foster collaboration between government bodies, businesses and civil society, and provides an overview of tried-and-tested solutions that can be adapted to the unique needs of each country.

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.