UN High Level Meeting on NDCs Offers Rare Window to Tackle Global Chronic Disease Epidemic

Over 40 leading public health organisations and individuals are urging the Australian Government to use its influence to push for an ambitious global response to address growing rates of chronic, often preventable diseases including cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and poor mental health. The first United Nations meeting to be held on the issue in seven years will directly influence national, regional, and international health priorities for years to come. The burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) weighs heaviest on those with fewest resources, with over three-quarters of deaths from NCDs occurring in low- and middle-income countries.

Key Takeaways:

• The George Institute for Global Health, along with 43 others, is calling on the Australian Government to strengthen the NCD response in Australia through dedicated funding for chronic disease strategies, including the National Preventive Health Strategy, and enhance partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations, NGOs, health consumer groups, and community groups.
• Investing in systems that improve health in the region by directing more development assistance to NCDs through DFAT's Partnerships for a Healthy Region program, and continuing to show global leadership on NCDs and mental health are also recommended.
• Implementing taxes on tobacco, alcohol, and sugar-sweetened beverages are identified as effective actions to address NCDs and mental health.
• Only 1 to 2 per cent of development assistance is currently allocated to addressing prevention and treatment of NCDs around the world.
• The cost of chronic disease worldwide is projected to reach an estimated US$47 trillion by 2030.
• The World Health Organization estimates that investing an additional US$0.84 per person per year in NCD interventions in low- and lower-middle income countries will result in US$230 billion in economic gains.

Statistics:

• The burden of NCDs weighs heaviest on those with fewest resources, with over three-quarters of deaths from NCDs occurring in low- and middle-income countries.
• The cost of chronic disease worldwide is projected to reach an estimated US$47 trillion by 2030.
• Only 1 to 2 per cent of development assistance is currently allocated to addressing prevention and treatment of NCDs around the world.
• The World Health Organization estimates that investing an additional US$0.84 per person per year in NCD interventions in low- and lower-middle income countries will result in US$230 billion in economic gains.
• Lost labour force participation from chronic diseases in Australia is projected to cost AU$67.7 billion by 2030.

Sources:

• World Health Organization. Noncommunicable diseases. Accessed September 2025.
• Lago-Penas S, Rivera B, Cantarero D, Casal B, Pascual M, Blazquez-Fernandez C, Reyes F. The impact of socioeconomic position on non-communicable diseases: what do we know about it? Perspect Public Health. 2021 May;141(3):158-176. doi: 10.1177/1757913920914952. Epub 2020 May 24. PMID: 32449467.
• Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2024) Health expenditure Australia 2022-23. AIHW. Australian Government. Accessed September 2025.
• Collins TE, Karapici A, Berlina D. Investing in Addressing NCDs and Mental Health Conditions: a Political Choice. Annals of Global Health [Internet]. 2025 [cited 2025 Jul 17].
• NCD Alliance. Invest to protect NCD financing as the foundation for healthy societies and economies. 2022. Accessed September 2025.