MINNEAPOLIS, Sep 23, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) --
Medtronic, Inc. today announced at the Clinton Global Initiative a $1 million commitment to the NCD Alliance. The grants are made in preparation for the United Nations Summit on non-communicable diseases (NCD) occurring in September 2011, and part of a comprehensive Medtronic commitment to drive a meaningful reduction in NCD mortality and morbidity.
To help ensure success at the U.N. NCD Summit, the Medtronic Foundation will give $1 million over two years to support the work of the NCD Alliance, a coalition of nonprofit organizations that will lead civil society to develop data driven plans and recommendations for the Summit. The NCD Alliance is comprised of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), World Heart Federation (WHF), Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) and the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (The Union), who together represent more than 880 national member associations in more than 170 countries.
"The cost in human life and health is just one dimension of the global epidemic of non-communicable disease," said Bill Hawkins, Medtronic's chairman and chief executive officer. "Insufficient management of chronic illness can have a devastating impact on economic growth and productivity, both in developed, and even more so, in developing economies where access to proven prevention and treatment options are limited.
"Medtronic is making a long-term strategic commitment to the fight against non-communicable diseases. By working with global stakeholders, we can bring the innovative solutions necessary to combat and ultimately overcome the unique challenges of the burgeoning chronic disease epidemic."
Earlier this year, U.N. member states voted unanimously for Resolution 64/265 to hold the NCD Summit. With the potential to secure pledges from international governments for a coordinated global response, the NCD Summit is being considered a historic opportunity to put NCDs on the global health agenda.
"This announcement is a critical step towards the action needed to turn around the growing epidemic of NCDs in low- and middle-income countries," said Ann Keeling, chair of the NCD Alliance steering committee and chief executive officer, International Diabetes Federation. "With a combination of medicines, technologies and lifestyle changes including tobacco cessation and healthy eating, we can cut the human cost of 14 million annual premature deaths from NCDs. We are very thankful for the Medtronic Foundation's donation to the NCD Alliance and efforts in the fight against NCDs."
Beyond this initial $1 million grant, Medtronic's commitment will extend into three primary action areas:
- Taking a lead in medical technology industry efforts in working with policymakers, healthcare professionals and nonprofit organizations to elevate chronic disease on the global agenda, with an ultimate goal to have NCDs specifically listed on the revised United Nations' Millennium Development Goals in 2015.
- Providing additional grants through the Medtronic Foundation to strengthen health systems in developing countries by integrating NCD care into primary care systems, and training healthcare professionals to foster best practices in cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
- Developing technologies and evidence-based best practices that lead to more affordable, appropriate and accessible Medtronic therapies throughout the world.
NCDs, such as heart disease and diabetes, are surpassing communicable disease as the world's primary health concern. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), non-communicable diseases already account for approximately 60 percent of all deaths worldwide and will account for 75 percent of all deaths globally by 2020. NCDs also account for roughly 75 percent of healthcare costs in both advanced and developing economies, according to the World Economic Forum.
ABOUT THE CLINTON GLOBAL INITIATIVE (CGI)
Established in 2005 by President Bill Clinton, the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) convenes global leaders to devise and implement innovative solutions to some of the world's most pressing challenges. Since 2005, CGI Annual Meetings have brought together more than 125 current and former heads of state, 15 Nobel Peace Prize laureates, hundreds of leading CEOs, heads of foundations, major philanthropists, directors of the most effective nongovernmental organizations, and prominent members of the media. These CGI members have made more than 1,700 commitments valued at $57 billion, which have already improved the lives of 220 million people in more than 170 countries. The CGI community also includes CGI University (CGI U), a forum to engage college students in global citizenship, MyCommitment.org, an online portal where anybody can make a Commitment to Action, and CGI Lead, which engages a select group of young leaders from business, government, and civil society. For more information, visit www.clintonglobalinitiative.org.
ABOUT THE NCD ALLIANCE
The NCD Alliance is an informal alliance of four international federations representing the four main NCDs outlined in the World Health Organization's 2008-2013 Action Plan for NCDs - cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and chronic respiratory disease. The NCD Alliance uses targeted advocacy and outreach to ensure that NCDs are recognized as a major cause of poverty, a barrier to economic development and a global emergency. For more information, visit www.ncdalliance.org.
ABOUT MEDTRONIC
Medtronic, Inc. (www.medtronic.com), headquartered in Minneapolis, is the global leader in medical technology - alleviating pain, restoring health and extending life for millions of people around the world. The Medtronic Foundation is committed to improving the health of people and communities. Its grant making is focused in three areas: health, education and community.
Any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties such as those described in Medtronic's periodic reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results.
SOURCE: Medtronic, Inc.
Medtronic, Inc. Brian Henry, 763-505-2796 or Medtronic Foundation Rich Fischer, 763-505-2975