September 21, 2022 (New York) — Vital Strategies today welcomes the reappointment of Michael R. Bloomberg, 108th mayor of New York City and founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies, as World Health Organization Global Ambassador for Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) and Injuries. Bloomberg has served in this role since 2016.
José Luis Castro, President and CEO of Vital Strategies said: “We applaud Michael Bloomberg’s reappointment by the World Health Organization as the Global Ambassador for Noncommunicable Diseases and Injuries. Good health does not just happen; we must prioritize and protect it. As a mayor, public health leader and philanthropist, Bloomberg has demonstrated that with focus and determination, good health is achievable and rapid progress in global health is possible.
“As WHO Ambassador, Bloomberg will continue to convene world leaders and highlight the strategies best proven to make progress against NCDs and injuries, today’s leading global causes of death. Vital Strategies looks forward to continuing our work with Michael Bloomberg and WHO to help improve global health by reducing preventable injury, disease and death worldwide.”
NCDs such as cardiovascular disease, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes, along with injuries, account for 80% of deaths worldwide. They affect the quality of life, productivity, income and life spans of families, communities and economies. Tobacco use, physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, air pollution and the harmful use of alcohol all increase the risk of NCDs.
Vital Strategies is a proud partner in several Bloomberg Philanthropies-funded initiatives including the Partnership for Healthy Cities, the Bloomberg Initiative to Reduce Tobacco Use, the Bloomberg Philanthropies Initiative for Global Road Safety, Food Policy Program, Data for Health initiative and Overdose Prevention Program
About Vital Strategies
Vital Strategies is a global health organization that believes every person should be protected by equitable and effective public health systems. We partner with governments, communities and organizations to reimagine public health, and the result is millions of people living longer, healthier lives. Our goal is to build a future where better health is supported across all facets of our lives, in our families, communities, in our environment and our governments.
To learn more visit vitalstrategies.org or follow us @VitalStrat.
Media Contacts:
Christina Honeysett, choneysett@vitalstrategies.org
Ally Davis, adavis@vitalstrategies.org