Minister Reilly attends the UN Headquarters for a High-Level Meeting on Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs)

The four main noncommunicable diseases – cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic lung diseases and diabetes – kill three in five people worldwide, and cause great socioeconomic harm within all countries, particularly developing nations.

The decision by the United Nations General Assembly to convene a High-Level Meeting on NCDs on 19-20 September 2011 presents a unique opportunity for the international community to take action against the epidemic, save millions of lives and enhance development initiatives.   

At the UN conference Minister Reilly attended a parallel session on the role of the food and beverage industry in tackling non-communicable diseases.

The Minister contributed to the round table discussions at the seminar.  Commenting on the development of a new public health policy in Ireland Minister Reilly said action needs to occur to reverse obesity trends and to introduce measures to promote healthier diets, reduce the harm of alcohol misuse and tobacco consumption.

View further details at http://www.un.org/en/ga/ncdmeeting2011/index.shtml

View Minister Reilly speech (at timeframe 2hrs 13mins):

 http://www.unmultimedia.org/tv/webcast/2011/09/4th-plenary-meeting-part-1-ncds-general-assembly.html

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