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 and mental health conditions imposes huge economic costs.
“Apart from cutting lives short and robbing families of their loved ones, these deaths also incur massive costs for health systems and economies,” he said.
UN targets for 2030
According to WHO, countries have been negotiating a political declaration that will be finalised at UNGA, setting ambitious global targets by 2030:
- Reduce tobacco use by 150 million people
- Expand access to mental health care for 150 million people
- Ensure hypertension control for 150 million people
“Investing in NCD prevention is not a cost,” Tedros emphasised. “It’s one of the smartest economic decisions any government can make. But often, governments face fierce opposition from industries that profit from unhealthy products.”
Suicide: a critical public health crisis
WHO estimates that suicide claims over 700,000 lives worldwide annually. It is the fourth leading cause of death among 15–29-year-olds globally, with 73% of cases occurring in low- and middle-income countries.
In Nigeria, the suicide mortality rate stood at 3.5 per 100,000 people as of January 2024, amounting to roughly 15,000 annual deaths.
“The message is clear,” Tedros concluded. “Countries that act decisively will save millions of lives, protect families, cut health costs, and unlock economic growth.”
The UNGA High-Level Meeting is expected to deliver a strong political declaration, shaping international cooperation on tackling NCDs and scaling up mental health support for the next decade.
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