Non-communicable disease (NCD) is the leading cause of death world-wide and has been so for the last 15 years.

But what if evidence isn’t enough to convince the international community that the global response needs to be in proportion to this? What if it is our ability to tell a compelling narrative about the evidence that is lacking?

Evidence isn’t enough: getting the non-communicable disease narrative right

On Thursday 30 March, we are pleased to be welcoming Johanna Ralston, global fellow at Geneva Centre for Security Policy and previously CEO of the World Heart Federation, to our International Breakfast Seminars series in London.

In her current role, Johanna is writing on issues of health and security, examining the need for a clear, compelling narrative around NCDs and NCD prevention. She believes that a clearer story would bring together donors, decision-makers and stakeholders all over the world to fully implement the WHO Global Action Plan on NCDs, as well as take a ‘health-in-all-policies’ approach to taking on the challenge that cancer, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and other NCDs pose globally.

Johanna is well-placed to think about what such a narrative might look like. Her career in global NCDs spans nearly two decades, starting with a role for the American Cancer Society building its global cancer and tobacco-control programme. As the CEO of the World Heart Federation, Johanna worked to place cardiovascular disease and other NCDs on the international political agenda, so that these diseases would get the attention and support that they deserve.

She has also shared her knowledge and expertise by participating on numerous advisory boards and in expert groups, for example for the WHO, and by writing for publications such as Lancet and Huffington Post.

We hope that you will be able to join us for what will no doubt be a thought-provoking, inspiring seminar.

Registration is open now!