New York: Europe and the Arabs
Every two seconds, a person under the age of 70 dies from a non-communicable disease, and mental health conditions affect more than a billion people worldwide. These figures were cited by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, reminding us that non-communicable diseases and mental health conditions are "among the greatest public health and development challenges of our time." According to the UN Daily News Bulletin, a copy of which we received on Friday morning, the Secretary-General's reminder came at the opening of a high-level meeting on the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and the promotion of mental health and well-being, held as part of the high-level week of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In his address, read by his Deputy, Amina Mohammed, the Secretary-General stated that "last year alone, non-communicable diseases claimed the lives of more than 43 million people of all ages and are the leading cause of death in the world."
The meeting, the fourth of its kind, is an opportunity to adopt a new, ambitious, and achievable political declaration on non-communicable diseases (NCDs)—including cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases—and mental health conditions by 2030 and beyond.
"Ambitious but achievable targets"
The UN Secretary-General said progress has been made since the first high-level meeting in 2011, but his latest report showed that progress has slowed, "and the world is not on track to achieve the fourth target of Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being), which is to reduce premature deaths from NCDs by one third by 2030."
He spoke of the political declaration, which sets "ambitious but achievable targets" by 2030:
150 million fewer people using tobacco.
150 million more people controlling high blood pressure.
150 million more people accessing mental health care.
Changing Course
To achieve these goals, the Secretary-General, through his Deputy, said that primary health care must be strengthened as the foundation for universal health coverage, and that working with various sectors and partners must address the social, economic, and environmental determinants that shape how people live, what they produce, and ultimately their health and well-being.
He also emphasized that mental and social health care must be strengthened in humanitarian crisis settings, that sustainable financing must be ensured, and that people suffering from non-communicable diseases and mental health disorders must be placed at the center of these efforts.
"If we act quickly and unitedly, we can change course. Let us pledge our commitment to prevention, equity, and accelerated action," Guterres said through his Deputy.
He welcomed a plan launched to strengthen mental health and psychosocial support within humanitarian efforts around the world. It will be implemented initially in Chad and Lebanon, which face significant humanitarian needs.
A Burden on the Most Vulnerable
UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock said that nearly 20 million people die from heart disease, and 10 million die from cancer.
But she added, "The good news is that most NCDs are, by their very nature, preventable, treatable, or both."
She warned that the challenge lies in the fact that the burden of NCDs falls most heavily on the most vulnerable.
She said, "Nearly three-quarters of NCD deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, where access to prevention and treatment options is difficult," adding that "NCDs are both a cause and a consequence of poverty."
She also noted that mental health conditions still face chronic funding shortfalls.
"The problem is not one of knowledge or science, which we have an abundance of, but of access, with billions of people still deprived of the tools that can save their lives," Baerbock said.
She noted that "no one in this room is immune from NCDs," emphasizing that today's discussion is an opportunity to unite efforts, learn, and show support for the millions affected by NCDs. "For those who suffer"
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, reminded those present that they were at today's meeting "for those who suffer."
He added: "The life of a 45-year-old woman who died of heart disease could have been saved today if her high blood pressure had been diagnosed and treated with inexpensive medications. The life of a 25-year-old woman who died by suicide could have been saved today if her depression had been diagnosed and treated."
He emphasized that the political declaration presented to Member States "is the strongest yet, with ambitious, measurable, and achievable targets."
He also noted that through this declaration, a commitment is made to expanding access to mental health services, adding: "The walls of stigma that keep so many people trapped must be torn down."
He called for translating words written on paper into sustainable action and tangible impact. Luke Bahadur Thapa, President of the Economic and Social Council, said, "Every premature death from non-communicable diseases represents a lost potential. Every untreated mental health condition represents a missed opportunity for inclusion and dignity."
He emphasized that non-communicable diseases and mental health conditions are not just a health crisis, but also a "development crisis."
He explained that the Political Declaration represents a clear path forward. "If equity and investment are at the heart of our response, we can reverse current trends," he added.
Sport is the most effective solution
International Olympic Committee President Christy Coventry was among the keynote speakers, warning that "physical inactivity is a major risk factor."  She stated that in combating non-communicable diseases, "sport is beneficial. Physical activity is the most effective, least expensive, and most impactful solution."
She added that studies show that every dollar invested in sport and physical activity can yield a double return in healthcare and economic benefits, by reducing healthcare costs and creating longer, healthier lives.
She pointed to the campaign launched by the Commission in collaboration with the World Health Organization, entitled "Let's Move," which aims to encourage everyone, everywhere, to be more active in their daily lives.