Global Declaration on Non Communicable Diseases and Mental Health

18 Dec 2025

Global Declaration on Non Communicable Diseases and Mental Health

At the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), world leaders adopted a historic political declaration on noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health.

Global Burden of the Problem

  • Mortality from NCDs: NCDs cause 18 million premature deaths annually worldwide.
  • Mental Health Impact: Mental health conditions affect over one billion people globally, making them a major public health concern.
  • Key Risk Factors: The primary drivers of this burden include unhealthy diets, tobacco use, harmful alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, and air pollution, all of which also have adverse effects on mental well-being.
  • Socio-Economic Consequences: The rising burden impacts public health, productivity, and sustainable economic growth across all countries.

About the Declaration

  • Title“Equity and integration: transforming lives and livelihoods through leadership and action on noncommunicable diseases and the promotion of mental health and well-being”.
  • Historic Significance: It is the first global political declaration to address NCDs and mental health together.
  • Shift in Global Health Approach: The declaration marks a decisive shift towards a fully integrated and equity-driven global health approach.
  • Time-Bound Global Targets: It sets out specific, measurable global targets for 2030, creating a framework for accelerated action.

Global Fast Track targets

The declaration sets three measurable 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.

System-Level Process Targets (By 2030)

  • At least 80% of countries adopting policy, legislative, regulatory, and fiscal measures.
  • At least 80% of primary healthcare facilities having access to affordable, WHO-recommended essential medicines and basic technologies for NCDs and mental health.
  • At least 60% of countries implementing financial protection measures covering or limiting costs of essential NCD and mental health services.
  • At least 80% of countries having operational, multisectoral national plans for NCDs and mental health.
  • At least 80% of countries establishing robust surveillance and monitoring systems.

Scope of the Declaration

  • New NCD areas: New disease areas included for the first time, such as Oral health, Lung health, Childhood cancer, Liver and kidney diseases, Rare diseases
  • Environmental determinants: Broader environmental determinants addressed, including Air pollution, Clean cooking fuels, Lead exposure, Hazardous chemicals
  • Digital health risks: Digital health risks recognised, such as Excessive screen time, Harmful online content, Social media exposure, Misinformation and disinformation
  • Regulatory and Equity Commitments: Stronger regulatory focus on E-cigarettes and novel tobacco products, Unhealthy food marketing to children, Front-of-pack food labelling, Elimination of industrial trans fats
  • Equity Commitments: Emphasises equity, incorporating the needs of People living with NCDs and mental health conditions, Climate-vulnerable populations, Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Populations in humanitarian settings
  • Accountability
    • The UN Secretary-General will report on progress towards the 2030 targets ahead of the next High-Level Meeting.
    • WHO and other UN agencies will support Member States in translating commitments into national action plans.

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Financing and Governance Approach

  • Recognises global fiscal constraints threatening health financing.
  • Calls for adequate, predictable and sustained funding through:
    • Increased domestic financing
    • Strengthened international partnerships
    • Coordinated multilateral frameworks
  • Positions NCDs and mental health as core to sustainable development and social justice.
  • Advocates a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach, involving civil society, youth, persons with disabilities, and those with lived experience.

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UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

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