WHO: Suicide Now Third Leading Cause of Death Among Youth
The World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General, Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus, has urged governments to take urgent action against noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health challenges, warning that inaction will cost millions of lives and weaken global economies. Speaking in a video message posted on X on Saturday ahead of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, Tedros underscored the significance of the upcoming High-Level Meeting on NCDs and Mental Health scheduled for September 25. “Noncommunicable diseases, or NCDs, include seven of the world’s top 10 causes of death, including cancers, heart disease, diabetes, and chronic respiratory disease,” he said. “In addition, more than one billion people face mental health conditions, and suicide is the third leading cause of death among young people.” Enormous human and economic toll Tedros stressed that beyond the personal tragedies, the global burden of NCDs […]