The Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases takes its origin in the Grand Challenges Partnership first announced in Nature in 2007.
This partnership was inspired by a study published in Nature involving a Delphi panel recruited from 50 countries around the world. The study identified twenty Grand Challenges in chronic non-communicable diseases and highlighted a set of priorities to address the burden of cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases, and certain cancers. This largely preventable, yet relatively ignored and under-resourced, group of conditions cause the greatest global share of death and disability, accounting for around 60% of all deaths worldwide. In low- and middle-income countries, the burden is especially significant and is projected to rapidly rise.
Reflections on a global alliance
In 2007, Professors Abdallah Daar and David Matthews co-authored a groundbreaking article in Nature.
This article outlined the case for greater joint international funding to tackle the rising epidemic of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Since the story sewed the seed, the GACD was formed and has since launched several international funding calls. In recognition of this early vision, Abdallah Daar and David Matthews got together by telephone, to discuss their personal reflections and hopes for the GACD and its future.
Listen to the audio (4.25 minutes)
UCL and GACD (2012-2018)
In January 2012 the GACD International Secretariat was established, with University College London (UCL) selected as the original host organisation. GACD was based at the UCL Institute for Global Health for seven years. Being hosted by UCL meant that GACD as a fledgling organisation could thrive and grow.
GACD Action established as a legal entity
On 1 January 2019, the GACD transferred from UCL to a new legal entity called GACD Action. This was originally established as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) with the Charity Commission for England and Wales under the charity number 1138223-22, as a linked charity to the Medical Research Foundation.
At that time, a new Board of Trustees was also established as GACD Action’s legally accountable body.
On 31 December 2024, GACD delinked from the Medical Research Foundation to become an independent Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) with a new charity number 1174867.
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