Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)2017-05-312017-05-312013Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), (2013). Proceedings report Changing patterns of Non-Communicable Diseases. [Online] Available at: DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/assaf/0008978-0-9870160-3-4http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/assaf/0008http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11911/53Cite: Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), (2013). Proceedings report Changing patterns of Non-Communicable Diseases. [Online] Available at: DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/assaf/0008The theme of this conference was a superb example of the various activities in which the academies had been involved. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) constituted one of the most critical set of health challenges that faced the global community. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), NCDs constituted some 60% of all mortality at the present time, and more worrying was the upward trend. It was clear that there was urgent work to be done in this area. The timing and appropriateness of the conference theme were of unquestionable pertinence. NCDs provided a set of challenges that could not be successfully addressed through the isolated actions of various institutions and academies, but required collective wisdom, in this case of the group of medical academies.enNon-communicable diseasesAnti-retroviral therapyPrimary health careHealthSustainable Development Goals (SDGs)SDG 1SDG 2SDG 3SDG 5SDG 6SDG 8SDG 9SDG 10SDG 11SDG 13SDG 16Conference Proceedings10.17159/assaf/0004