ABSTRACT
Human rights are rights everyone has simply by existing as human beings and they are inherent to every person in the world, regardless of nationality, sex, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, language or any other status. This chapter describes the applicability of human rights for the prevention and control of NCDs, for example by providing binding standards for health policy and programmes (including legal and regulatory action); the need to focus on vulnerable and marginalized groups; actions to tackle the underlying determinants of NCDs; the need for individual, community and broad stakeholder participation; and effective accountability. Human rights frameworks and instruments are also important in the planning, budgeting, monitoring and evaluation of NCD prevention and control policies, strategies and programmes, and these are described. The chapter also describes how the availability, accessibility, acceptability and quality of NCD care are fundamental components of the human rights agenda.
