Ahead of the United Nations (UN) Multistakeholder Hearing on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and Mental Health in New York, which convenes a diverse group of stakeholders to share their perspectives and experiences, while identifying challenges and proposing actionable solutions to address NCDs and mental health, The George Institute for Global Health, NCD Alliance, Eli Lilly and UNICEF hosted an event to discuss the role and vital importance of communities, civil society, youth, and people living with NCDs in advancing NCD prevention and control.
Claudia Selin Batz, SPHERE consortium member, and Policy and Advocacy Advisor at The George Institute for Global Health – moderated the discussion, sharing why the forthcoming High-Level Meeting on NCDs and Mental Health on 25 September is a critical moment to secure political commitments for community engagement and social participation for health.
Despite notable progress to institutionalise meaningful involvement, including the 77th World Health Assembly (WHA77) resolution on social participation for universal health coverage, health and well-being, and the development of the WHO Framework for Meaningful Engagement of People Living with NCDs and Mental Health and Neurological Conditions, more needs to be done to implement the WHA77 resolution and build mechanisms that support meaningful social participation. Inclusive governance and people-centred health systems are critical to ensure no one, especially the poorest and most vulnerable, are left behind.
Claudia shared insights from SPHERE’s review of research focused on the inclusiveness of social participation, and the strategies used to include traditionally marginalized groups in these processes.
“Our results suggest that although organizations and governments employ various strategies and activities for greater inclusiveness, such as strategic recruitment of key populations, diversity quotas, leadership trainings, information dissemination and reimbursement for lost wages, inadequate or tokenistic participation of population groups remain prevalent. Many individuals in key population groups continue to feel excluded.”
You can learn more about the event and other panellists’ contributions by reading the NCD Alliance news story, here.
The Multistakeholder hearing on NCDS and Mental Health is an essential formalized avenue for social participation in UN processes, as the statements given during the hearing inform the zero draft of the Political Declaration that will be negotiated by Member States and eventually adopted at the UN High-level meeting on NCDs and Mental Health on 25 September.
Watch the recording of the Multistakeholder hearing on UN TV here.
Join SPHERE on 21 May at the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva for an interactive event, where we will discuss actionable strategies for the implementation of social participation for health at the national and regional level. Learn more and register here.
