WHO Praises Nigeria, Five Countries for Lowering NCD-Related Mortality

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has commended Nigeria, China, Egypt, Russia, Brazil, and Denmark for making significant progress in reducing mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

The biggest gains were recorded in cardiovascular disease and certain cancers — such as stomach and colorectal cancers for both sexes, cervical and breast cancers for women, and lung and prostate cancers for men. However, mortality linked to pancreatic and liver cancers, as well as neurological conditions, continues to rise in many countries.

In its new report, “Saving lives, spending less,” released on Thursday, WHO revealed that an additional investment of just US$3 per person annually in combating NCDs could generate up to US$1 trillion in economic benefits by 2030. The UN health agency urged Member States to scale up cost-effective interventions to address NCDs and mental health.

The report included a new analysis of country-level progress in reducing NCD mortality between 2010 and 2019. While 82 percent of countries achieved reductions, the pace of progress has slowed significantly in most regions, with some nations experiencing a resurgence in NCD-related deaths. Currently, NCDs account for the majority of global deaths, while over one billion people live with mental health conditions.

WHO warned that nearly 75 percent of deaths linked to NCDs and mental health conditions occur in low- and middle-income countries, claiming 32 million lives each year.

On September 25, Heads of State and Government will meet in New York for the Fourth United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting on NCDs and mental health, where they are expected to adopt a Political Declaration to accelerate global action and investment.

“Non-communicable diseases and mental health conditions are silent killers, robbing us of lives and innovation. We have the tools to save lives and reduce suffering. Investing in the fight against NCDs isn’t just smart economics—it’s an urgent necessity for thriving societies,” WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus said.

WHO highlighted that NCDs include cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory illnesses, and diabetes, while mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression remain widespread across all demographics. Without urgent action, millions more lives could be lost prematurely.

The agency stressed that solutions such as tobacco and alcohol taxation, marketing restrictions, hypertension management, and cervical cancer screening are highly cost-effective. Scaling up these interventions — known as WHO’s “Best Buys” — would cost an additional US$3 per person annually but could save 12 million lives, prevent 28 million heart attacks and strokes, add 150 million healthy life years, and generate over US$1 trillion in economic returns by 2030.

WHO officials further warned against interference from powerful industries, including tobacco, alcohol, and ultra-processed food companies, which often seek to block or weaken public health policies.

“It is unacceptable that commercial interests are profiting from increasing deaths and disease. Governments must put people before profits and ensure evidence-based policies are not derailed by corporate pressure,” said Dr. Etienne Krug, Director of WHO’s Department of Health Determinants, Promotion and Prevention.

The upcoming UN High-Level Meeting is described as the most significant political opportunity of the decade to transform global responses to NCDs and mental health. With a strong Political Declaration, leaders can recommit to 2030 targets while setting a long-term vision for healthier societies.

“The time to act is now. Governments that act decisively will save lives, reduce costs, and unlock growth. Those that delay will pay in lost lives and weaker economies,” said Dr. Devora Kestel, Director of WHO’s Department for NCDs and Mental Health.