Mattila appointed to WHO High-Level Commission

Minister of Social Affairs and Health Pirkko Mattila, was appointed to the WHO High-Level Commission on Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs).

President Sauli Niinistö will co-chair the Commission, together with the Heads of State of Uruguay and Sri Lanka, said an official press release.

NCDs include, for example, cancers, cardiovascular diseases, diseases of the respiratory system and diabetes. In 2015, approximately 40 million people died worldwide from these diseases.

Tackling premature deaths related to noncommunicable diseases and promoting mental health are included in the objectives of Agenda 2030, the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN. Risk factors related to national diseases can be prevented, and the factors are the same both in developed and developing countries.

The term of the Commission will continue until October 2019. The Commission will give recommendations and take new initiatives relating to prevention and management of diseases.

“Finland has a lot to give to the international community when it comes to prevention and treatment of long-term illnesses. At the same time, we ourselves can learn new ways of action, tackle premature deaths from long-term illnesses and improve patients' quality of life,” said Mattila.

Monitoring noncommunicable diseases will be discussed at the UN General Assembly in 2018.