As an urban public health professional, I have been thinking and writing about non-communicable diseases for the better part of the last 10 years. If you have just started your own journey to learning about NCDs, here is a simple guide on how to get involved.
- If starting your own campaign seems larger than life, you can join existing initiatives. The World Health Organization (WHO) has a great guide on existing initiatives you can join.
- BreatheLife – combating air pollution
- Decade of Action on Road Safety – This campaign hopes to save millions of lives between 2011 and 2020
- Global Hearts Initiative – to fight cardiovascular disease
- WHO Global Days
- World TB Day, 24 March
- World Health Day, 7 April
- World Malaria Day, 25 April
- World Immunization Week, 24-30 April
- World No Tobacco Day, 31 May
- World Blood Donor Day, 14 June
- World Hepatitis Day, 28 July
- World Antibiotic Awareness Week, 13-19 November
- World AIDS Day, 1 December
- Inspire: WHO’s seven strategies for ending violence against children
What else are you doing to get started? Are you looking for some inspiration? Check out my new podcast This I Can Do (Soundcloud) for stories that will show you what to do and make you get going.