World Leaders Chart New Approach To Combat NCDs, Mental Health Challenges
By Alice Etuka, Abuja
Leaders from across the world at the Eightieth United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) have adopted the political declaration to combat noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health challenges through a fully integrated approach.
This was contained in a statement issued by the World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday.
According to the statement, this was the outcome of the intergovernmental negotiations in advance of and considered by the fourth high-level meeting of the UNGA on the prevention and control of NCDs and the promotion of mental health and well-being, held on 25 September 2025.
Titled “Equity and integration: transforming lives and livelihoods through leadership and action on noncommunicable diseases and the promotion of mental health and well-being”, the political declaration is the first such declaration addressing NCDs and mental health together, and marks a unique opportunity to accelerate global progress with a set of specific global targets for 2030.
This step is expected to usher in a new era in addressing some of the world’s most pressing health challenges—affecting people of all ages and income levels across the globe.
WHO noted that today’s leading causes of death, NCDs claim 18 million lives prematurely each year, while mental health conditions affect over a billion people globally.
“NCDs are often driven by preventable risk factors such as unhealthy diets, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, and air pollution—many of which also negatively impact mental health.
“Both NCDs and mental health conditions are increasing in every country, affecting every community. That makes them urgent issues not only for public health, but also for productivity and sustainable economic growth”, the global health body said.
Marking a significant evolution from previous commitments, the new political declaration establishes three first-ever global “fast-track” outcome targets to be achieved by 2030:
“150 million fewer tobacco users ;
150 million more people with hypertension under control; and
150 million more people with access to mental health care”, the statement said.
It further informed that, “to ensure countries can reach these goals, the declaration also sets ambitious, measurable process targets for national systems by 2030, including:
“At least 80% of countries with policy, legislative, regulatory and fiscal measures in place; At least 80% of primary health care facilities with access to affordable, WHO-recommended essential medicines and basic technologies for NCDs and mental health; At least 60% of countries implementing financial protection policies or measures that cover or limit the cost of essential NCD and mental health services;
“At least 80% of countries with operational, multisectoral national plans for NCDs and mental health; and At least 80% of countries with robust surveillance and monitoring systems for NCDs and mental health”.
“The adoption of these bold targets to control noncommunicable diseases and promote mental health is a testament to the commitment of Member States to protect the health of their people,” WHO said.
Reacting to the development, WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus said, “Together, we can change the trajectory of NCDs and mental health, and deliver health, well-being and opportunity for all.”
