Honourable Chair, Distinguished Delegates,
The World Heart Federation and its Members applaud the Director-General for his report on Social Determinants of Health and Health Equity.
Inequities inflict an uneven burden of NCDs, including cardiovascular disease, on disadvantaged populations. The social determinants of health directly impact the incidence, treatment, and outcome of heart disease. Exposure to risk factors such as air pollution, alcohol, tobacco, and unhealthy diets, are generally correlated with poorer living and working conditions.
Therefore, we urge Member States to:
• Implement Universal Health Coverage and Primary Health Care as key instruments in achieving health equity; and
• Address the social, economic, environmental, and commercial determinants of health. In particular, governments should refrain from engaging with the tobacco industry, as per Article 5.3 of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
Thank you.
