The World Health Organization (WHO) today published a new report entitled “Saving Lives, spending less”, revealing that an additional investment of only $ 3 per person per person per year to treat non -contagious diseases (NCDs) could bring up to $ 20.
Along with the report, which shared a new analysis of progress at country level in reducing NCD mortality between 2010 and 2019. While 82% of countries achieved reductions during this period, progress rate significantly slows in most areas, with some countries even facing rejuvenating NCD deaths.
NCDs are responsible for the majority of world deaths, while more than one billion people live with mental health conditions. With concern, almost 75% of NCDS -related deaths and mental health conditions occur in low and medium -income countries, representing 32 million lives lost each year.
Just a few days on September 25, 2025, state and government will convene in New York for the fourth United Nations High Level Meeting (HLM4) on the prevention and control of NCDs and promoting mental health and prosperity. The meeting aims to adopt an ambitious political statement to accelerate global action and investment in these critical health and development sectors.
Non -contagious diseases and conditions of mental health are silent assassins, robbing us lives and innovation. We have the tools to save lives and reduce pain. Countries such as Denmark, South Korea and Moldova are driving the road, while others stop. Investing in the struggle against NCDs is not just a smart economy-it is an urgent necessity for flourishing societies. ”
Dr.edros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, General Manager of
NCDs include cardiovascular disease (such as heart attacks and strokes), cancers, chronic respiratory diseases (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma) and diabetes, among others. Mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression, are also extremely popular in all countries and communities, affecting people of all ages and levels of income. Without urgent and prolonged action to deal with them, millions of more lives will be lost prematurely.
Low progress, he lives in danger
While the majority of countries have made progress in reducing the risk of dying prematurely from an NCD between 2010 and 2019, 60% have been ongoing ongoing compared to the previous decade. Denmark recorded the biggest improvements for both sexes. Among countries in other areas, NCD mortality has declined for both sexes in China, Egypt, Nigeria, Russia and Brazil.
Larger profits were led by reductions in cardiovascular disease and certain cancers-such as stomach and colon cancers and cervical and breast cancers for women and lung and prostate cancers for men. On the contrary, pancreatic, liver cancers and neurological conditions have contributed to increasing mortality in many countries.
The solutions are affordable and cost -effective
Solutions for dealing with NCDs and promote mental health and prosperity are both affordable and cost -effective. However, governments often face strong pressure from strong industries whose products contribute to diseases. Tobacco, alcohol and highly processed food companies often try to exclude, weaken, or delay policies for salvation ranging from health tax restrictions aimed at protecting children.
“It is unacceptable that commercial interests benefit from the increase in deaths and diseases,” said Dr. Etienne Krug, director of the Ministry of Health, Promotion and Prevention. “Governments must put people before profits and ensure that the policy based on evidence is not derailed by corporate pressure.”
The escalation of the application of its “best markets” which, a set of high -impact interventions, including tobacco and alcohol, protecting children from harmful marketing, managing hypertension and escalation of cervical cancer screening, will only cost a US $ 3 per year per year. The return on investment is important: by 2030, full application could save 12 million lives, prevent 28 million heart attacks and strokes, add 150 million years of healthy life and generate more than $ 1 trillion.
Political will to change the future
The upcoming fourth high -level meeting of the United Nations General Assembly (HLM4) in NCDs and Mental Health is the most important political opportunity of the decade to promote transformative change. With a bold political statement, leaders and government can not only re -examine the achievement of the 2030 goals, but also put the vision for the coming decades -by restoring a new course that will save lives and improve prosperity for future generations.
“We know what works, the time to act is now, the governments that laws will protect and save lives, reduce costs and unlock growth, those who are delayed will pay for lost lives and weaker economies,” said Dr. Devora Kestel and NCD.
Who invites leaders, partners and communities to support specific actions such as:
- funding and application Who is “Best Buys”, tailored to national needs.
- taxation Tobacco, alcohol and sugar drinks.
- strengthening Primary health care for prevention, timely detection and treatment;
- protective Children from harmful marketing.
- Extension of access in basic medicines and technologies;
- securing funding through domestic budgets, health taxes and targeted assistance;
- Setting up bold targets and monitoring of progress with strong accountability.
- Stopping industrial intervention in Health Policy.
HLM4 offers a unique opportunity to adopt an ambitious, action -oriented and feasible political statement on NCDS and mental health based on human rights anchored and aims to impact over 2030.
