Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory conditions, are the leading cause of death and account for 74% of deaths worldwide. These NCDs share key behavioral risk factors that can be modified, including tobacco use, poor diet, lack of exercise, and harmful use of alcohol, which in turn lead to overweight and obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and ultimately disease.

They continue to be a major public health problem in all countries, including low- and middle-income countries where more than three-quarters of them occur.

The WHO 2022 report shows that more countries are conducting campaigns focusing on tobacco reduction, healthy eating, regular physical activity, and developing clinical guidelines for NCD management. Progress has also been made in improving nutrition and the food environment.

However, challenges remain. The number of premature deaths due to NCDs has increased for most low- and middle-income countries. In addition, diabetes and obesity rates are on the rise, and there has been a marked decline in physical activity awareness campaigns, NCD surveillance activities, and the development of integrated NCD plans.

The COVID-19 pandemic revealed that people with NCDs were at increased risk of contracting a severe form of COVID-19 or dying from the disease. It has led to profound changes in health systems, economies and societies. In many countries, it has undermined efforts to protect populations from noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).

To protect the health of its citizens, no country can afford not to invest in the fight against NCDs and strengthen its health services as part of its preparedness for future pandemics and humanitarian emergencies.

Thus, to effectively address NCDs and their major risk factors, a clear understanding of the current situation in countries and the progress made at the national level is needed. There are feasible and cost-effective interventions to reduce the current and future burden and impact of NCDs. This is the focus of this year’s Galien Forum Africa.

This year, the main theme of the forum is “Non-communicable diseases: Africa in the fight !“. The sub-themes are :

• Cardiovascular diseases
• Strokes
• Cancers
• Diabete
• Chronic respiratory conditions
• Mental health

During the panels, discussions will be held around these different sub-themes and will allow for an assessment and especially recommendations to improve the fight against NCDs in Africa, particularly in the areas of prevention, screening, access to health care services and medicines, innovation in health, etc.

For the 2023 edition, more than 3000 participants are expected from all over the world. Nobel Prize winners, political leaders, experts, researchers, students, community leaders, doctors, social anthropologists, biologists, innovators, investors, international organizations, civil society, private sector, etc.