Global Declaration on Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) and Mental Health

Source: WHO

Subject: International Organisation

Context: World leaders at the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted a historic global political declaration that jointly addresses noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health for the first time.

About Global Declaration on Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) and Mental Health:

What it is?

• The Global Declaration on NCDs and Mental Health is a political declaration adopted by UN Member States to accelerate prevention, control and care of NCDs and mental health conditions through an integrated approach.

• It represents the first UN declaration to treat NCDs and mental health together, recognising their shared risk factors and societal impact.

Published by:

• United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)

• Adopted during the Fourth UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs and Mental Health (2025)

Targets (to be achieved by 2030):

The declaration introduces first-ever global “fast-track” outcome targets:

• 150 million fewer tobacco users

• 150 million more people with hypertension under control

• 150 million more people with access to mental health care

Key features:

• Integrated health approach: Treats NCDs and mental health as interconnected challenges driven by common risk factors such as unhealthy diets, tobacco, alcohol, physical inactivity and air pollution.

• Expanded scope of NCDs: Covers new areas including oral health, lung health, childhood cancer, kidney and liver diseases, and rare diseases.

• Focus on emerging risks: Addresses environmental determinants (air pollution, clean cooking, lead exposure) and digital harms (excessive screen time, harmful online content, misinformation).

• Stronger regulation: Emphasises regulation of e-cigarettes, novel tobacco products, unhealthy food marketing to children, front-of-pack labelling, and elimination of industrial trans fats.

• System-level national targets: Calls for strong primary healthcare, affordable essential medicines, financial protection, multisectoral national plans, and robust surveillance systems.

• Whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach: Encourages engagement of civil society, youth, persons with disabilities, and people with lived experience.

Significance:

• Addresses the world’s leading causes of premature death and disability, affecting people across all countries and income groups.

• Prioritises vulnerable groups such as climate-affected populations, Small Island Developing States (SIDS), and humanitarian settings.