COMMENTARY

Peter Burgess

‘Many Healthy Returns’ is a report by IBLF on the role of business in tackling chronic or 'non-communicable' diseases

IBLF has released ‘Many Healthy Returns’, a specialised, industry report on the role of business in tackling chronic or 'non-communicable' diseases (NCDs). It focuses on the overlapping interests between business and global health strategy to prevent and control NCDs, including an action framework for the food and beverage sector. Download it here.

NCDs cause 63% of global deaths and an estimated cost in excess of 1 trillion US dollars per year. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes cause approximately 36 million deaths each year. The report has been published to coincide with the UN General Assembly’s high-level meeting (20 Sept 2011) in New York on the theme.

In the executive summary of Many Healthy Returns, co-authors Olive Boles and Yvonne Halsey assert:
'If trends continue, no country in the world will be able to afford the healthcare burden that NCDs will bring. Societies will be gravely damaged by the combination of a growing, ageing and chronically sick population, with a less productive workforce to support it.'

The report outlines the contribution of business to tackling this growing threat and calls for a scale up of action both individually and collectively to achieve long-term sustainable growth.

Yvonne Halsey, Programme Manager, Human Capital at IBLF explains: “There are real profitability and productivity gains for business and society in tackling the risk factors that are causing NCDs. We are seeing companies benefiting both from improved productivity of their workforce and through innovative pro-healthy lifestyle products and services. The report emphasises the imperative for seeing mutual interest, and importantly returns, from effective multi-sector action to prevent NCDs.'

The report:
• Stresses the urgency of the threat to society from NCDs
• Presents a detailed framework for action for food and beverage companies
• Emphasises ways in which business of all kinds can be a part of the solution
• Provides illustrative examples of different private sector contributions via core business operations (marketplace and workplace)
• Demonstrates the necessity of collaboration among business, government, NGOs and other community organisations to tackle the complex issue

IBLF specialise in programmes for action around corporate social responsibility, from job creation and health to education and anti-corruption