WHO, UN and Global Stroke Policies Update

01 Jun 2019

Global Policy Update

We are happy to report on some key events in the field of global policy, which WSO is using to promote its agenda and mission, to build new collaborations and strengthen old partnerships.

The 71st World Health Assembly took place on 21–26 May 2018 in Geneva, Switzerland. On May 22, 2019, Member States agreed three resolutions on universal health coverage, which focus on: primary healthcare, the role of community health workers, and the September UN General Assembly high-level meeting on UHC. The third resolution is of special interest since it supports preparation for the UN General Assembly high-level meeting (UN HLM) on universal health coverage in September 2019. The resolution urges the WHA parties to “accelerate progress towards universal health coverage with a focus on poor, vulnerable and marginalized individuals and groups”1.

On May 25th, the WHO adopted the ICD-11, a landmark event for stroke which now constitutes a single block incorporating all cerebrovascular conditions, and is listed under Diseases of the Nervous System. The ICD-11 also includes definitions, which should be adhered to globally. As the readers of this newsletter are already aware of, the WSO played a key role in this process. The ICD-11 will be implemented from January 1st, 2022. A link to the WHO release document is found here and the singularly important infographic prepared by the WHO is enclosed for your reference and use.

The UN HLM will take place on 23 September 2019. Is theme will be “Universal Health Coverage: Moving Together to Build a Healthier World” and it will include two multi-stakeholder panels. As in previous years, WSO representatives will attend the HLM to ensure that stroke has a place in the global health agenda and is receiving the necessary attention. The HLM will be followed by the UN SDG Summit, which will take place on 24-25 September 2019 in New York. The task of the participants will be to follow up and comprehensively review progress in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

WSO President M. Brainin will attend the Second Global Rehabilitation 2030 Meeting, taking place 8-9 July 2019 in Geneva. It will bring together Member States, international and professional organizations, non-government organizations, rehabilitation experts and service users to take stock of the progress made towards achieving the joint commitments of the Rehabilitation 2030 initiative. Prof. Brainin will also attend the 4th Global Summit on Circulatory Health, which will be held in Paris, France on 29-30 August 2019 under the theme Innovations in Circulatory Care and Technologies.

WSO looks forward to continuing to work closely with WHO to reduce the global burden of stroke through prevention, treatment and long-term care.