Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the #1 killer of women, taking 18 million women's lives each year. Still, data on women's views on NCDs are scarce. In early 2014, we surveyed 10,000 women in 10 countries around the world about the impact of NCDs (such as diabetes and cancer) on their lives. The insights and findings of this survey, if shared effectively, can persuade governments around the world to invest in the prevention and treatment of NCDs, protecting women and their families.
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs - including diabetes, heart disease, cancer and chronic lung diseases), which are largely preventable and treatable, come at a staggering price: an estimated $30 trillion (USD) over the next 20 years alone. In addition to the cost of medical care, the opportunity cost for women as they provide care to ailing household members often includes lost earning potential, further exacerbating already impoverished living conditions.
Data is critical for informing actions both locally and globally to mitigate the growing impact of NCDs. To this end, we gathered the perspectives of 10,000 women worldwide on the impact of NCDs on their lives, including their children and families. As the world takes stock of the progress made against NCDs, we are sharing the survey results with multiple stakeholders--policy makers, public health leaders, civilians, and media--to get them to listen to the women's voices and make change.
We believe this survey will influence the global dialogue on NCDs in a post-2015 world. In July 2014, we will gather the perspectives of many stakeholders on this data and what it means at the United Nations. In September 2014, we will bring the survey results to the Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting, where the commitment to do this survey was first made.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
