The Repeating Mistakes of the Past: A Looming NCD Pandemic

Ad Adams

03 Apr, 2025

Advocacy Article

Ahead of the 4th UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs and Mental Health in September, 2025

April 3, 2025

The 19th and 20th centuries saw significant advancements in medicine and public health. However, despite these gains, governments and global health leaders failed to address the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The consequences of this inaction are now being felt in the 21st century.

The Mistakes of the Past

In the 19th and 20th centuries, governments prioritized addressing infectious diseases over NCDs. This oversight led to a lack of investment in NCD research, prevention, and treatment. The consequences were devastating as follows:

Inadequate healthcare infrastructure- Many countries failed to develop healthcare systems capable of addressing the complex needs of NCD patients.
Lack of awareness and education- Limited public awareness and education campaigns meant that many people were unaware of the risks and consequences of NCDs.
Insufficient funding-NCD research and prevention efforts received inadequate funding, hindering the development of effective treatments and prevention strategies.

The 21st Century: A Repeat of Past Mistakes

Unfortunately, the 21st century has seen a repeat of these mistakes. Despite the growing burden of NCDs, governments and global health leaders have failed to take decisive action. Governments and global leaders current slow to lead and take action attitude on NCDs are felt strongly as highlighted below:

Failed commitments– The 2011 UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs and the 2015 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) included commitments to address NCDs. However, many of these commitments remain unfulfilled.
Inadequate funding– NCD research and prevention efforts continue to receive insufficient funding, hindering progress in addressing these diseases.
Lack of progress– The global response to NCDs has been slow, and the disease burden continues to grow.

The Consequences: A Looming Pandemic

The consequences of these failures are dire. If left unchecked and unattended to, NCDs will become a pandemic, affecting millions of people worldwide which could have a catastrophic consequences.

The following would be the results if governments and global leaders fails take a bold decision to lead and take action on NCDs during the 4th UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs and Mental Health in September, 2025.

INCREASED MORTALITY AND DISABILITY– NCDs will become a leading cause of death globally, surpassing infectious diseases and a leading cause of disability.
ECONOMIC BURDEN-The economic impact of NCDs will be devastating, with estimates suggesting that NCDs will cost the global economy trillions of dollars.
HUMAN SUFFERING– Millions of people will suffer from the debilitating effects of NCDs, impacting their quality of life and ability to contribute to their communities.

Living with a Half-Life

Persons living with NCDs (PLWNCDs), the reality is stark. Many are forced to live with a half-life, unable to fully participate in their day-to-day activities in their communities or reach their potential. Persons living with NCDs are usually saddled with myriad of challenges. Key dominating challenges which cuts across especially for people from low-and middle –income countries are;

LIMITED ACCESS TO CARE– Many people lack access to affordable, quality healthcare, exacerbating their condition.
SOCIAL ISOLATION– NCDs can lead to social isolation, further impacting mental and physical health.
ECONOMIC HARDSHIP-The financial burden of NCDs can be crushing, pushing persons living with NCDs families into poverty and worsening of their condition.

A Call to Action for Governments and Global Leaders

As we approach the 4th UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs and Mental Health in September 2025, we (advocates, persons living NCDs, caregivers, health professionals, CSOs, etc.) urge your Excellencies, to uphold to your oath, to protect and serve your citizens. Your constitutions mandate that you prioritize their well-being and health.

The duty as leaders has a moral Imperative from the living word of God in Proverbs 3:27, advises, “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it.”

This wisdom underscores your responsibility to urgently act with kindness and compassion, particularly in matters of life and death (with respect to non-communicable disease, a looming Pandemic). The health and well-being of your citizens are not merely moral obligations but fundamental human rights.

The Urgency of Action

Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) pose a significant threat to global health, claiming millions of lives each year. In 2021, 18 million people died from an NCD before age 70 years. 82% of these premature deaths occurs in low-and middle –income countries. Cardiovascular diseases account for most NCD deaths, or at least 19 million deaths in 2021, followed by cancers (10 million), chronic respiratory diseases (4 million), and diabetes (over 2 million including kidney disease deaths caused by diabetes) (WHO, 2024).

As leaders, you have the power to implement policies and programs that prevent NCDs, improve healthcare systems, and save lives. Delaying action or withholding support is not an option.

A Call to Responsibility

We (advocates, persons living with NCDs, caregivers, health professionals, CSOs, etc.) urge your Excellencies to take immediate action to:

Commit to Save Lives- Adopt and Implement a preventive care model to prevent 80% of NCD-related deaths through early intervention and treatment.
Strengthen healthcare systems- Invest in healthcare infrastructure, personnel, and services to ensure equitable access to quality care.
Earmark Revenue from Sin Tax- Allocate revenue from sin taxes (e.g., tobacco, sugary drinks, and alcohol) to fund NCD prevention and control programs.
Monitor Progress and Accountability- Establish robust monitoring and evaluation systems to track progress and ensure accountability.
Implement NCD prevention policies- Enact policies that promote healthy lifestyles, reduce risk factors, and support early detection and treatment.
Ensure access to essential medicines- Guarantee the availability and affordability of essential medicines for NCDs.
Enhance Research and Development- Encourage research and development of affordable, innovative treatments and technologies for NCDs.

Recognition of Global Health Organizations’ Efforts in NCD Prevention and Control

Global health organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations (UN), and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) such as the NCD Alliance, World Heart Federation (WHF), International Diabetes Federation (IDF), and NCD-specific focus organizations like the World Stroke Organization (WSO), World Obesity Federation(WOF), International Union for Cancer Control (IUCC), Global Heart Hub (GHH), World Hypertension League, International Society of Hypertension ,etc. are making significant investments in the prevention, control, treatment, and capacity building for health care professionals and advocates to better address non-communicable diseases (NCDs) at the national and regional levels.

These organizations are working tirelessly to enhancing healthcare systems and services for people living with NCDs, advocating for policies that support NCD prevention and control, training healthcare professionals and empowering people living with NCDs and Educating communities about NCD risks and prevention strategies with the support of their members and partners.

We (advocates, persons living with NCDs, caregivers, health professionals, CSOs, etc.) highly commend the contributions of these global health organizations and NGOs for their tireless efforts in controlling, preventing, and treating NCDs globally. Their work has made a significant impact on the lives of millions of people worldwide.

We urge donors and partners to provide uninterrupted funding to support the critical work of these organizations. Donors and partners continued support is essential to;

Sustain progress: Maintaining momentum in NCD prevention and control efforts.
Address emerging challenges: Responding to new and evolving NCD challenges.
Ensure equitable access: Providing healthcare services and support to people, regardless of their geographical location or socio-economic status, thus to abolishing “Cash-and-Carry” system of care.

Together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of people living with NCDs and ensure the long-term success of NCD prevention and control efforts.

Conclusion

Your Excellencies, as leaders, you have the capacity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of your citizens by reaffirming your committing to lead and take action on NCDs at the 4th UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs and Mental Health in September, 2025. We urge you to seize this opportunity, uphold your oath, and prioritize the health and well-being of your people. The time for action is now. Do not withhold kindness or help when it is within your power to LEAD and to TAKE ACTION on NCDs.

It’s time for governments and global health leaders avoid the repetition of the mistake of the past with its devastating consequences and lead by taking action to address the growing burden of NCDs.

“Repeating the mistakes of the past will unleash an NCD pandemic. Health is a right, not a privilege. Inaction denies this right, leaving millions living a half-life.” – Sir Ad Adams Ebenezer