The Civil Society Summit 20 (C20), the G20’s engagement group representing non-governmental organizations, concluded in Buenos Aires on August 7th. C20 leaders issued a document with recommendations for G20 member states: among these, the call on governments to consider measures to prevent non-communicable diseases stands outs. The proposals include policies to prioritize public health systems, guarantee access to quality essential health care services and ensure health as a human right. While these recommendations are not binding, they will be considered at the G20 Leaders’ Summit, which will take place November 30th in Buenos Aires.

Through the document, C20 leaders called on G20 governments to recognize the importance of primary prevention through vaccines as one of the most cost saving public health strategies with the greatest impact on the reduction of mortality and prevention of drug resistance.

The document argues that high vaccination coverage protects both those vaccinated and indirectly those who are not, and should therefore be considered as a priority. Among other things, the paper urges governments to take effective measures in line with WHO recommendations to prevent chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs).