Health

Integrating NCDs & mental health   

By Team Pulse

Copyright thehindubusinessline

Integrating NCDs & mental health   

World leaders have supported the text of the first United Nations global political declaration on responding to noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health in an integrated manner. The declaration, negotiated during a five-month inter-governmental process, will be considered at the 80th session of the General Assembly for final approval in October 2025.

NCDs, including cardiovascular and lung diseases, cancer and diabetes, are the leading causes of death worldwide, claiming at least 43 million lives in 2021, including 18 million people aged under 70 years. Four in five (82 per cent) of these premature deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. Mental health conditions affect over a billion people globally, the HO said. NCDs are increasing in every country, affecting every community, making them urgent issues for public health, productivity and sustainable economic growth.

Expanding definition

The political declaration sets global targets to be achieved by 2030, including 150 million fewer tobacco users; 150 million more people with hypertension under control; and 150 million more people with access to mental healthcare.

It integrates lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic and responds to new global challenges, by broadening the NCD areas to include oral health, lung health, childhood cancer, liver disease, kidney disease, and rare diseases; expanding environmental determinants, including air pollution, clean cooking, lead exposure, and hazardous chemicals; and recognising the evolving risk of digital harms from social media exposure, excessive screen time, harmful content, and the risks of mis- and disinformation, the WHO said. It also contains a sharper regulatory focus on e-cigarettes, novel tobacco products, unhealthy food marketing to children, front-of-pack labeling, and the elimination of trans fats, the UN health agency added.

Published on October 6, 2025