MERCOSUR versus Chronic non-communicable diseases (NCD)

Abstract

Chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) constitutes a global challenge. A coordinated answer to address NCD includes the articulation of policies forward the Health sector and the role of the State, in conjunction with private sector and civil society, at regional and global levels. During 2011, United Nations have organized the High-level Meeting on the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). The Meeting allowed specialized institutions of the UN System to incorporate them in their dairy duty. This responsibility was also translated in the SDG 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. This article shows the hypothesis that the main way to address this kind of healthy problems without boundaries is at regional or sub regional level. For instance, the institutional arrangements on health at MERCOSUR have generated the necessary dialogue to addressing together NCDs and contribute regionally to global commitments of SDGs. First, the health situation of each MERCOSUR countries’ in NCDs is described; then MERCOSUR Health Forums are examined; and finally, some opportunities are identified to strengthening institutional arrangements related to NCDs at regional and global levels.