The World Health Organization (WHO) has commended Nigeria, China, Egypt, Russia, Brazil, and Denmark for reducing mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs), highlighting declines in cardiovascular diseases and certain cancers.
In contrast, pancreatic and liver cancers, as well as neurological conditions, have driven rising deaths in many countries. WHO’s report, Saving Lives, Spending Less, released Thursday, notes that an additional investment of just US$3 per person annually in NCD prevention could yield economic benefits of up to US$1 trillion by 2030.
The UN health agency urged governments to scale up cost-effective interventions to manage NCDs and mental health conditions. WHO’s analysis of 2010–2019 data showed that while 82% of countries achieved reductions in NCD mortality, progress has slowed in most regions, and some countries have seen a resurgence in deaths.
NCDs and mental health conditions account for the majority of global deaths, with nearly 75% occurring in low- and middle-income countries—resulting in 32 million lives lost annually. More than one billion people worldwide live with mental health conditions, including anxiety and depression.
Ahead of the Fourth United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting (HLM4) on September 25 in New York, WHO called on member states to adopt an ambitious Political Declaration to accelerate global action and investment in these areas. “Noncommunicable diseases and mental health conditions are silent killers,” WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus said. “We have the tools to save lives and reduce suffering.”
WHO highlighted that interventions such as tobacco and alcohol taxation, protecting children from harmful marketing, managing hypertension, and expanding cervical cancer screening—its so-called “Best Buys”—are affordable and highly cost-effective. Full implementation could save 12 million lives, prevent 28 million heart attacks and strokes, add 150 million healthy life years, and generate more than US$1 trillion in economic benefits by 2030.
Dr. Etienne Krug, Director of WHO’s Department of Health Determinants, emphasized that commercial pressures from tobacco, alcohol, and ultra-processed food industries often hinder life-saving policies. Governments must prioritize public health over profit to prevent further premature deaths.
HLM4 is seen as a critical political opportunity to recommit to the 2030 targets and set long-term strategies for reducing NCDs and promoting mental health globally. WHO officials stressed that decisive action now will save lives, reduce costs, and foster economic growth, while delays will result in higher mortality and weaker economies.
