UN High Level Meeting on NCDs: World Leaders Called to Action on Chronic Diseases

Strategic Insights -

Global health leaders are convening at the UN High Level Meeting on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) on 25 September in New York, with over 40 public health organizations urging Australian leaders to push for a strong global response to address the growing rates of chronic diseases. The burden of NCDs falls heavily on low- and middle-income countries, with three-quarters of NCD deaths occurring in these regions. If left unchecked, the cost of chronic disease worldwide is projected to reach an estimated US$47 trillion by 2030.

Key Takeaways:

  • More than 40 leading public health organizations, including The George Institute for Global Health and the Australian Health Promotion Association, have urged the Australian Government to use its influence to push for an ambitious global response to address NCDs.
  • The burden of NCDs weighs heaviest on those with fewest resources, with more than three-quarters of NCD deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries.
  • Investing an additional US$0.84 per person per year in NCD interventions in low- and lower-middle income countries is estimated to result in US$230 billion in economic gains.
  • The cost of NCDs in Australia is projected to cost AU$67.7 billion by 2030, with lost labour force participation from chronic diseases accounting for 459,000 lost productive life years.
  • The World Health Organization estimates that investing in preventing and managing chronic diseases is essential to improving productivity and reducing the impact on the economy.
  • Only 1-2% of development assistance is currently allocated to addressing prevention and treatment of NCDs around the world.
  • Implementing effective actions on NCDs, including health taxes and public health laws, can save millions of lives.

Statistics:

  • More than 15 years after the first UN high level meeting, NCDs are still causing three-quarters of global deaths.
  • The cost of chronic disease worldwide is projected to reach an estimated US$47 trillion by 2030.
  • Investing an additional US$0.84 per person per year in NCD interventions in low- and lower-middle income countries is estimated to result in US$230 billion in economic gains.
  • Only 1-2% of development assistance is currently allocated to addressing prevention and treatment of NCDs around the world.
  • The cost of chronic disease in Australia is projected to cost AU$67.7 billion by 2030.

Sources:

  • World Health Organization. Noncommunicable diseases. Accessed September 2025.
  • George Institute. [https://www.georgeinstitute.org/sites/default/files/2025-09/2025_TheGeorgeInsitute_CalltoAction_Letter-action-ncd-action-UN-high-level-meeting-Sep-25.pdf](https://www.georgeinstitute.org/sites/default/files/2025-09/2025_TheGeorgeInsitute_CalltoAction_Letter-action-ncd-action-UN-high-level-meeting-Sep-25.pdf)
  • Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2024) Health expenditure Australia 2022--23. AIHW. Australian Government. Accessed September 2025.
  • Hacker K. The Burden of Chronic Disease. Mayo Clinic Proceedings: Innovations, Quality & Outcomes. 2024 Feb 1;8(1):112--9.
  • NCD Alliance. Invest to protect NCD financing as the foundation for healthy societies and economies. 2022. Accessed September 2025.