WHO Calls for Affordable NCD & Mental Health Solutions
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WHO report: $3 Investment Could yield $1 Trillion in NCD Economic Benefits
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The World Health Association (WHO) today released a compelling report, “saving lives, spending less”, demonstrating that a modest annual investment of just US$3 per person in tackling noncommunicable diseases (ncds) could generate economic benefits reaching up to US$1 trillion by 2030. The report also highlights a concerning slowdown in global progress towards reducing NCD mortality.
The Scale of the Problem
NCDs – including cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes – are responsible for the majority of global deaths. Mental health conditions are also a important and growing concern, affecting over one billion people worldwide.Alarmingly,nearly 75% of deaths related to NCDs and mental health conditions occur in low- and middle-income countries,resulting in 32 million lives lost annually.
| Category | Estimated Global Impact (Annual) |
|---|---|
| Total Deaths from NCDs | Over 41 million |
| People Living with Mental Health conditions | Over 1 billion |
| Percentage of NCD/Mental Health deaths in LMICs | 75% |
| Annual Lives Lost in LMICs | 32 million |
Progress Slowing, despite Gains
While 82% of countries achieved reductions in NCD mortality between 2010 and 2019, the rate of progress has slowed substantially. 60% of countries experienced a deceleration compared to the previous decade. denmark showed the largest improvements, and positive trends were also observed in China, Egypt, Nigeria, Russia, and Brazil.
- Positive Trends: Declines in cardiovascular disease and certain cancers (stomach, colorectal, cervical, breast, lung, prostate) drove gains.
- Negative Trends: Mortality from pancreatic, liver cancers, and neurological conditions is increasing in many countries.
Affordable Solutions, Powerful Obstacles
The WHO report emphasizes that solutions to tackle NCDs and promote mental health are both affordable and cost-effective. Tho, these efforts are frequently enough hampered by intense lobbying from industries that profit from products contributing to these diseases – namely, tobacco, alcohol, and ultra-processed food companies. These industries frequently attempt to undermine public health policies, including health taxes and marketing restrictions.