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Tokyo
May 19, 2000
In a historic gathering, academies of medicine and medical sciences from around the world met in Tokyo May 15-18 in conjunction with the InterAcademy Panel on International Issues and the world's academies of science to discuss the transition to global sustainability.
The medical academies discussed three of the most challenging issues facing health on a global scale:
the emergence of and reemergence of infectious diseases in light of the growth of antibiotic resistance;
the health consequences of tobacco use;
and the effects of the demographic transition taking place in the developing world and the likely accompanying increase in the "lifestyle"-associated diseases of the developed world.
We recognize that the advances in medical sciences of the 20th century brought about great improvements in health care and hold the promise for even more. Nevertheless tremendous problems remain, and their resolution will require cooperative action on the part of governments worldwide.
The academies are convinced they have an important role to play in encouraging such global action by providing unbiased, independent and scientifically unimpeachable information on the scientific issues involved. For this purpose they have agreed to form an association to be able to undertake studies that promote global health.
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