NCDs, which cost countries trillions of dollars in lost productivity and health costs, disproportionately affect low- and middle-income countries. If NCDs are not urgently addressed, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will not be achieved. Recognizing the enormous challenges that NCDs pose to all countries, the Fourth High-level Meeting of the United Nations General Assembly on the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases will meet in 2025. The aim will be to accelerate the global response to the prevention and control of NCDs by strengthening health systems and reorienting them towards primary health care and to achieve the SDGs by 2030.
Nearly 1.8 billion adults worldwide are at risk of developing serious illnesses such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes and certain cancers due to insufficient physical activity, new data shows. Collective efforts based on partnerships between governmental and non-governmental actors and increased investments in innovative approaches will be necessary to reach the least active people and reduce inequalities in access to measures that promote and improve physical activity.
WHO Global status report on alcohol and health and substance use disorder treatment highlighted that there were 2.6 million deaths from alcohol and 0.6 million deaths from drug use in 2019, alongside significant societal impacts of alcohol use, including injury , violence and increased risks of chronic and infectious diseases. The report outlines urgently needed actions to reduce substance use and expand treatment through prevention, improved systems of care, and advocacy.
The first ever global report on the drowning situation was released in 2024, showing a 38% decrease in global drowning deaths since the year 2000 – a major achievement in global health.
Neurological disorders are now the leading cause of illness and disability worldwidewith more than one in three people affected by these conditions (such as migraine, stroke and dementia). New data highlights the impact of growing inequalities in access to treatment, with more than 80% of neurological deaths and health losses occurring in low- and middle-income countries.
Hunger remains a serious problem worldwide. A new report, The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2024, contains the latest information on hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition. The main drivers of food insecurity and malnutrition remain conflicts, climate variability and economic slowdowns and recessions.
New data released this year showed alarming rise in diabetes over the past three decades, which also reflects the increase in obesity. The data shows that one in eight people now live with obesityand the number of adults living with diabetes worldwide has exceeded 800 million.
The very first Global Report on Business Determinants of Health will be launched in 2025 to help countries address business practices that pose barriers to action against NCDs.