The World Health Organisation has commended Nigeria, China, Egypt, Russia, Brazil, and Denmark for reducing the mortality rate in Non-communicable Diseases for their citizens.
The biggest gains were driven by declines in cardiovascular disease and certain cancers—such as stomach and colorectal cancers for both sexes, cervical and breast cancers for women, and lung and prostate cancers for men.
In contrast, pancreatic, liver cancers and neurological conditions contributed to rising mortality in many countries.
WHO, in a report “Saving lives, spending less” released on Thursday, revealed that an additional investment of just US$3 per person annually in tackling NCDs could yield economic benefits of up to US$1 trillion by 2030.
The UN health agency, however, called on Member States to invest more in cost-effective solutions to manage NCDs and mental health.
Alongside the report, WHO shared a new analysis of country-level progress in reducing NCD mortality between 2010 and 2019.
It stated that while 82 per cent of countries achieved reductions during this period, the rate of progress has slowed significantly across most regions, with some countries even experiencing a resurgence in NCD-related deaths.
NCDs are responsible for the majority of global deaths, while more than one billion people live with mental health conditions.
Alarmingly, nearly 75 per cent of deaths related to NCDs and mental health conditions occur in low- and middle-income countries, accounting for 32 million lives lost each year.
Heads of State and Government will convene in New York for the Fourth United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting on prevention and control of NCDs and the promotion of mental health and well-being.
The meeting aims to adopt an ambitious Political Declaration to accelerate global action and investment in these critical health and development areas.
Non communicable diseases and mental health conditions are silent killers, robbing us of lives and innovation.
We have the tools to save lives and reduce suffering. Countries like Denmark, South Korea, and Moldova are leading the way, while others stalling. Investing in the fight against NCDs isn’t just smart economics—it’s an urgent necessity for thriving societies,” WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus said.
NCDs include cardiovascular diseases (such as heart attacks and strokes), cancers, chronic respiratory diseases (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma), and diabetes, among others.
Without urgent and sustained action to tackle these, millions more lives will be lost prematurely.
While the majority of countries made progress in reducing the risk of dying prematurely from an NCD between 2010 and 2019, 60 per cent experienced a slowdown in progress compared to the previous decade.
Punch/Toyosi Eniola
