In a recent paper for the Copenhagen Consensus Center, DCP3 Principal Investigator and Series Editor Dr. Rachel Nugent argues that there are cost-effective ways to save more lives from deadly non-communicable diseases. Dr. Nugent's report is featured in a recent Guardian article authored by Copenhagen Consensus Centre director Bjorn Lomborg.
Lombrog writes, "In the year 2000, the world’s governments made a historic commitment to a set of ambitious 15-year targets under the umbrella of the millennium development goals. While much has been achieved, there is still more to be done. That’s why 193 national governments are now debating hundreds of proposed targets for the next 15 years. In September, the world will agree to a list of targets to help build a better life for the world’s poorest people.
Professor Nugent looks at a range of targets that collectively could cut almost a third of all premature deaths from NDCs by 2030. This is a demanding target, because premature death rates are already quite low in the developed world, and most of the deaths below age 70 occur in poorer countries. And the problem is accelerating. The number of people affected by these diseases is set to increase by 17% over the next 10 years, and by 27% in Africa."
Dr. Nugent's full perspective paper is available here.