UN High Level Meeting on NCDs and the Medtronic Foundation's Role

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Medtronic Foundation Supports
Global Preparation for UN High-Level Meeting

In spring 2010, the General Assembly of the United Nations issued a resolution to convene a High Level Meeting on the prevention and control of NCDs worldwide. The Medtronic Foundation supported global preparation for the September 19-20, 2011 meeting through:

  • A $1 million grant to the NCD Alliance, a coalition of nonprofit organizations that will lead civil society to develop data driven plans and recommendations around global NCDs.
  • Sponsorship of “Tackling the Endemic Noncommunicable Diseases of the Bottom Billion,” a conference hosted by the Harvard Medical School Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard School of Public Health, Partners in Health and the NCD Alliance to develop recommendations specific to the poorest populations.
  • Sponsorship of “NCDs: Seizing the Moment – How Innovative, Multi-sector Partnerships are a Critical Part of the Solution,” a panel presentation highlighting the critical importance of public, private and nonprofit partnerships in addressing NCDs worldwide presented at the Global Health Council 2011 conference “Securing a Healthier Future in a Changing World.”.

Private Sector Commitment

In addition, Medtronic has taken a leadership role in convening coalitions to define the private sector’s role in confronting the global NCD burden. Scheduled in conjunction with the World Health Organization’s global ministerial conference on healthy lifestyles (April 2011) and the Global Health Council annual conference (June 2011), the meetings helped identify four areas where the private sector can have a positive impact: promoting workplace wellness, improving access to diagnosis and treatment, creating healthy community environments and strengthening education, training and research capacity. Work is underway to explore ways to leverage the many successful programs run by corporations through strategic partnerships with governments and multilateral organizations.

Watch a 90-second video about the NCD crisis

Learn more at medtronic.com/citizenship