Acting on NCDs: counting the cost

Abstract

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) kill 40 million people each year, accounting for about 70% of all deaths globally.1 Some 15 million of those deaths are in people aged between 30–69 years, and more than 80% of these premature deaths are in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs).1 The human toll taken by NCDs should be reason enough for taking urgent action; but the economic impacts of inaction underscore that the world cannot afford to stand by and watch NCDs destroy lives, families, and communities. WHO's SDG Health Price Tag found that investment needs amounting to an additional $58 per person per year are needed in LMICs to achieve the SDG health targets.10 Disease-specific investment needs are highest for NCDs, driven by large treatment gaps. [...]it is vital that NCD interventions are included in UHC benefit packages, beginning with WHO's 16 “best-buys” for NCD prevention and control.11 The key message from the paper by Louis Niessen and colleagues4 highlights that the best way to deliver progress on NCDs is to ensure services to prevent, diagnose, and treat NCDs are embedded within strong health systems oriented towards delivering UHC. Many NCD policies and interventions are cost-effective and feasible to implement in all settings.11 Melanie Bertram and colleagues,7 using the One Health Tool, indicate that 1·13 million deaths due to cardiovascular diseases can be avoided in 20 LMICs through a package of interventions for tobacco control, reduction in sodium intake, and pharmaceutical therapy for prevention and treatment of ischaemic heart disease and stroke.