WHO Warns of Global NCD Crisis, Calls for Urgent Investment

Nepal’s urbanization has contributed to a growing prevalence of ultra-processed food, which in turn has led to an increase in noncommunicable diseases among children. A family in Nepal picks out fresh produce at a vegetable market in an effort to promote healthy diets.

The World Health Organization (WHO) is urging global action to address non-communicable diseases (NCDs), highlighting that investing in their prevention could yield economic benefits of up to USD 1 trillion by 2030.communicable diseases (NCDs), highlighting that investing in their prevention could yield economic benefits of up to USD 1 trillion by 2030.

Ahead of the UN General Assembly High-Level Meeting on NCD prevention on September 25, WHO released its latest report, Saving Lives, Spending Less: The Global Investment Case for Noncommunicable Diseases, during a virtual press conference on September 18. The report underscores the global state of physical and mental health and calls for cost-effective interventions to reduce preventable deaths, accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and strengthen health systems worldwide.

NCDs—including cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular and lung diseases—are the leading causes of death in most countries, claiming over 43 million lives annually, including 18 million premature deaths. Hundreds of millions of people currently live with at least one NCD, significantly reducing quality of life and lifespan.

Despite 82 percent of countries achieving reductions in NCD mortality between 2010 and 2019, progress has stalled in the 2020s, with many countries recording higher numbers of NCD-related deaths post-pandemic. This is especially dire for low- and middle-income countries, where inadequate access to healthcare costs roughly 32 million lives each year. Over 150 million people could die prematurely from NCDs unless effective global action is taken.

“There is no country on earth that isn’t now—and in the coming years will not be—challenged by the issues of NCDs and mental health,” said Jeremy Farrar, Chief Scientist at WHO. “Demographic shifts and multimorbidity—where people have more than one condition—are going to be an issue for health systems worldwide, including in the richest countries.”

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted that over three million people die each year due to unsafe or inequitable access to healthcare. He also noted that more than one billion people face mental health challenges worldwide, with suicide remaining a leading cause of death among young people.

“Noncommunicable diseases and mental health conditions are silent killers, robbing us of lives and innovation,” said Ghebreyesus. “We have the tools to save lives and reduce suffering. Countries like Denmark, South Korea, and Moldova are leading the way, while others are lagging. Investing in NCD prevention isn’t just smart economics—it’s an urgent necessity for thriving societies.”

Global exposure to preventable risk factors—such as tobacco and alcohol use, unhealthy diets, sugary beverages, and physical inactivity—kills more than 10 million people each year. Rapid urbanization, rising debt, and economic pressures further hinder effective healthcare investment.

Etienne Krug, WHO Director for Health Determinants, Promotion, and Prevention, stressed: “We are up against very strong financial interests. Tobacco, unhealthy foods, and alcohol are powerful industries. Unless governments act decisively to limit unhealthy products and promote healthier alternatives, we will not make enough progress against NCDs.”

WHO estimates that relatively low-cost interventions could yield significant returns, saving up to 12 million lives between 2025 and 2030—equivalent to roughly 150 million healthy life years—and generating up to USD 1 trillion in economic benefits, a four-to-one return on investment. By 2035, returns could rise to seven dollars for every dollar invested.

Several low- and middle-income countries have already reported gains. In 2018, Brazil imposed the highest tobacco tax in the Americas, significantly reducing smoking rates. Integration of hypertension control services in Bangladesh, Ethiopia, and the Philippines has allowed millions to manage their blood pressure, with 80 percent of patients in the Philippines achieving controlled blood pressure.

Despite global gains, the United States continues to face high rates of NCDs and obesity. Ghebreyesus warned that planned US withdrawal from WHO could cause significant setbacks in global public health. He highlighted the importance of learning from COVID-19 to address NCD challenges effectively in the future.