Chronic Illness Death Rates Decline – Progress Slowing
- Despite decades of pledges and plans to combat chronic diseases - also known as non-communicable diseases (NCDs) - progress is uneven globally.
- The study, conducted by the NCD Countdown 2030 Collaborators, is the first global analysis to benchmark national progress against both historical performance and the best-performing regions.
- The analysis indicates that approximately two-thirds of all countries experienced a slowdown in the rate of decline in NCD mortality between 2010 and 2019, compared to...
Global progress on Chronic Diseases Slowing, Despite Overall Declines
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Key Findings: A Mixed Picture of Global Health
Despite decades of pledges and plans to combat chronic diseases – also known as non-communicable diseases (NCDs) – progress is uneven globally. A new analysis, published in The Lancet on September 11, 2025, reveals that while deaths from chronic diseases have fallen in nearly 80% of countries over the last decade, the rate of decline is slowing in many nations. This slowdown threatens the UN Sustainable Development Goal of reducing premature mortality from NCDs by one-third by 2030.
The study, conducted by the NCD Countdown 2030 Collaborators, is the first global analysis to benchmark national progress against both historical performance and the best-performing regions. It examined cause-specific mortality data from 2001 to 2019.
Slowdown in Progress: A Global Trend
The analysis indicates that approximately two-thirds of all countries experienced a slowdown in the rate of decline in NCD mortality between 2010 and 2019, compared to the previous decade. This trend is particularly pronounced in high-income countries in Europe, North America, Australasia, and the Pacific.
The United States stands out as a particularly concerning case, experiencing the smallest decrease in risk among high-income countries during the 2010-2019 period. This suggests that current strategies are not effectively addressing the burden of chronic diseases in the U.S.
What are NCDs?
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are chronic conditions that are not infectious. They include a wide range of illnesses, such as:
- Cancer
- Cardiovascular diseases (heart disease and stroke)
- Diabetes
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Neurological conditions (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease)
- Chronic respiratory diseases (e.g., asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
NCDs are a leading cause of death and disability worldwide, and their prevalence is increasing due to factors like aging populations, unhealthy lifestyles, and environmental changes.
Urgent Need for Investment and Targeted Approaches
With the Fourth High-level Meeting of the UN General Assembly on NCDs approaching, the study’s authors emphasize the urgent need for increased investment in tackling chronic diseases. They stress the importance of ensuring that prevention and treatment approaches effectively reach the populations most in need.
The slowdown in progress highlights the limitations of current strategies and the need for innovative solutions to address the growing burden of NCDs globally.