Devex: Opinion: 7 issues gaining momentum in global health
José Luis Castro, president and CEO of Vital Strategies and executive director of the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease

“…As global attention to public health issues continues to gain momentum in 2019, here are seven issues and trends that will be critical to shaping the conversation on [noncommunicable diseases (NCDs)]: 1. Air pollution will be addressed as a driver of NCDs and climate action … 2. Taxes on unhealthy commodities will be key to financing NCD control … 3. Calls for urgent action to improve food and nutrition will be front and center … 4. Cities will continue to be laboratories for NCD prevention strategies … 5. Momentum for alcohol control will grow … 6. Access to medicine will remain contentious … 7. Debate on reducing commercial influence on health policies will heat up … 2019 presents an important opportunity for governments and civil society to either move forward toward improving public health and meeting the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, or fall short in their obligations to protect people from preventable death and disability. Working in partnership, the global health community can ensure that 2019 paves the way toward a future where millions of the world’s people live longer, healthier lives” (3/7).