Amsterdam, the Netherlands and New York, US – Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA), a global leader in health technology, today announced publication of a special report on early detection of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) as a critical link in effective NCD management. Researched and written by Devex [1], the report highlights the role that early detection and diagnosis plays in the global effort to combat widespread NCDs such as cardiovascular disease, lung disease, cancer and diabetes. Publication of the report coincides with the 73rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 73) in New York, US, during which the UN is staging its third high-level meeting on the prevention and control of NCDs.

NCDs are a truly global problem, impacting both developed and developing countries. It is currently estimated that around 41 million people a year die from NCDs, equivalent to more than 70% of all deaths globally, with developing countries in fact being impacted most due to poor access to healthcare. The NCD challenge is addressed in the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which explicitly states that reducing the death toll due to NCDs should be a sustainable development priority for all countries, while the World Health Assembly has endorsed the WHO Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of NCDs, which aims to reduce premature mortality from NCDs by 25% by 2025.

To produce the new report, titled ‘Early Detection: a Critical Link for Effective NCD Management’, Devex interviewed more than a dozen key opinion leaders and polled more than 1,200 health professionals. Of those surveyed, 98% agreed that addressing NCDs is a critical component of achieving UN Sustainable Development Goal #3 ‘Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages’, and that a strong primary healthcare system is one of the best ways to prevent NCDs and detect patients who suffer from them. Almost half of the respondents regarded early detection and diagnosis, together with education on preventative behavior change, as ways in which primary care systems could contribute to the fight against NCDs. Yet despite this, the majority expressed the opinion that prevention and diagnosis are currently underprioritized and underinvested.
“For those affected by NCDs, early diagnosis and treatment remain the best way to reduce patient suffering and mitigate healthcare costs,” said Frans van Houten, CEO of Royal Philips. However, many countries do not have the health facilities, clinical workforce or technology to support prevention, diagnosis and treatment, which is why Philips is committed to help. The Philips Community Life Center model is one way in which we’re working with communities on new business models to build facilities, train healthcare workers and bring diagnostic innovations, such as our portable Lumify tele-ultrasound solution, within people’s reach.”

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