The 2018 United Nations High-Level Meeting on Non-Communicable Diseases (UN HLM on NCDs) on 27 September 2018 has represented a vital opportunity to review – at the highest political level – the recent progress achieved by member states and the need for renewed action and collaboration to address the global NCD crisis. Kidney disease – the 11th leading cause of death globally – is a rapidly growing health burden and poses a significant health care challenge for governments, particularly in low-and middle-income countries.

Neglected in global NCDs discussion to date, kidney disease is a high priority NCD which now requires urgent consideration by political leaders. In follow up to the UN HLM on NCDs which provided a platform for raising awareness of NCD health care and monitoring needs, targeted action on kidney disease should become integral to the global policy response.

For this purpose, ISN launched a Call to Action on Kidney Disease to inform decision-makers of tackling this disease and highlight best practice policy solutions.

Outcomes of the 2018 UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs: the kidney perspective

ISN was invited to attend the UN HLM on NCDs in its capacity of non-state actor in official relations with WHO. ISN was given a chance to submit a statement to contribute to the discussions in writing which is accessible here.You can also review our full report and ISN analysis of the of the UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs outcomes here. The meeting culminated in the adoption of the Political Declaration of the HLM2018.

ISN welcomes the emphasis of Political Declaration on the need of a multi-sectoral and integrated approach to disease management and the commitment to whole-of-society, health in all policies, equity-based and life-course approaches to disease care. In the follow up to the 2018 HLM on NCDs, we however urge member states to ensure that no disease is left behind and that kidney disease is fully integrated in national NCDs health management strategies.

How you can build on the momentum of the 2018 HLM on NCDs and support ISN's Call to Action on Kidney Disease?

  • You are a stakeholder that participated in the process of the 2018 HLM on NCDs: urge your head of state or minister of health to meet the commitments made in the Political Declaration and address the omit of kidney disease in the global NCD agenda to date by supporting commitments to the actions outlined in ISN’s campaign priorities paper. You can use our suggested template letter here.
  • You are a national policy maker: Support the implementation of the policy asks outlined in ISN’s campaign priorities paper and encourage your administration to raise the profile of kidney disease in follow up to the 2018 HLM on NCDs.
  • You are a civil society organization (NGO, association, foundation), publisher or media representative: Spread the message of ISN’s policy asks and help us reach a wider audience worldwide. Contact your policy liaisons and ask them to support the policy asks of the ISN's campaign priorities paper and to implement them at local level. Contribute to any upcoming public consultations. Be active on social media!

Download the ISN campaign priorities paper and supporting materials here: https://www.theisn.org/advocacy/2018-un-hlm-on-ncds