Making NCDs the Emergency They Are!
adminIn the world of public health, emergencies often conjure images of pandemics, natural disasters, or sudden outbreaks of infectious diseases. These crises demand immediate action, mobilizing governments, media, and the global community to respond with urgency. Yet, there is another crisis—far deadlier, more pervasive, and insidious—that continues to escalate without the same level of alarm: non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
Despite being the leading cause of death and disability worldwide, NCDs remain in the shadows of global health priorities. It is time to recognize NCDs as the emergency they truly are and act accordingly.
The Silent Killer We Keep Ignoring
Every year, NCDs—including heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases—kill 41 million people, accounting for nearly 75% of global deaths. Shockingly, 17 million of these deaths occur prematurely, before the age of 70. Unlike infectious diseases, NCDs do not strike in sudden, headline-grabbing outbreaks. Instead, they unfold over time, quietly devastating families, overwhelming health systems, and crippling economies.
Yet, despite their catastrophic impact, NCDs are rarely treated with the same urgency as outbreaks like COVID-19 or Ebola. Why?
No “breaking news” moment – NCDs do not spread overnight, making them easy to ignore until the damage is done.
A crisis of perception – People assume NCDs are “lifestyle diseases,” blaming individuals rather than systems that fuel them.
Lack of political will – Many policymakers are reluctant to challenge industries that profit from unhealthy food, tobacco, alcohol, and sedentary lifestyles.
Chronic underfunding – Only 1-2% of global health funding goes to NCDs, despite their outsized burden.
If This Isn’t an Emergency, What Is?
Imagine a disease that:
Kills more people than any pandemic in history.
Causes economic losses in the trillions.
Disproportionately affects the poorest and most vulnerable.
Is fueled by unhealthy environments and corporate-driven risk factors.
That disease is already here—NCDs. And the response is far from proportionate.
The Economic Devastation
NCDs are not just a health problem; they are a financial catastrophe. The global economy loses $47 trillion due to NCDs between 2011 and 2030—more than the GDP of the United States and China combined. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where 77% of NCD deaths occur, health systems are already overburdened, and NCDs push millions into poverty every year.
Health Systems at Breaking Point
During the COVID-19 pandemic, we saw how fragile health systems collapsed under pressure. But even before the pandemic, NCDs were already stretching resources to the limit. Without urgent action, health systems in LMICs risk becoming non-functional, unable to manage both acute and chronic care.
The Youth Are Not Spared
The notion that NCDs are diseases of the old is a myth. With rising childhood obesity, youth smoking, alcohol abuse, and ultra-processed food consumption, we are seeing a surge in early-onset NCDs. Today’s generation could be the first to live shorter, sicker lives than their parents if we don’t act now.
Declaring an NCD Emergency: What Needs to Happen
If NCDs were treated like the emergency they are, the response would look drastically different:
A Global Declaration of an NCD Emergency
Governments and global agencies must recognize NCDs as a health security crisis, integrating them into emergency preparedness and response frameworks.
Massive Public Awareness Campaigns
Just as we mobilized against COVID-19 with clear messages on handwashing and masks, we need urgent, sustained campaigns against unhealthy diets, tobacco, alcohol, and physical inactivity.
Regulatory Action on Unhealthy Industries
Governments must take bold steps to tax unhealthy products, restrict aggressive marketing (especially targeting children), and hold corporations accountable for fueling the NCD epidemic.
Immediate Scale-up of NCD Best Buys
Proven, cost-effective interventions—like tobacco taxation, salt reduction policies, and front-of-pack nutrition labeling—must be swiftly implemented, especially in LMICs.
Emergency Funding for NCD Prevention and Control
The current funding model for NCDs is unacceptable. Governments, donors, and international organizations must allocate substantial funding—at least 10% of global health financing—to NCDs.
Stronger Health Systems and Workforce Expansion
The world needs a larger, better-trained workforce to manage NCDs, from community health workers to specialists. Universal health coverage must include affordable access to NCD care.
NCD Preparedness Plans in Every Country
Every country has a pandemic preparedness plan. Why not an NCD preparedness plan? Governments should develop clear strategies to prevent, detect, and manage NCDs with the same urgency as infectious diseases.
The Time for Action is Now
The slow-motion catastrophe of NCDs has been unfolding for decades. But we still have a chance to change course. By treating NCDs as the emergency they are, we can save millions of lives, protect economies, and create healthier, more resilient societies.
We cannot wait until the next global crisis forces us to act. The emergency is already here. Will we finally respond?
The East Central South Africa Health Community (ECSA-HC) Member states have done that in their 74th Meeting Feb 10-12 2025 in Lilongwe, Malawi where they have agreed to declare NCD as a Public Health Emergency and each of the countries (Eswatini, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe) need to do that nationally. Its time for other countries and regions to follow suit!
Lets Do THIS!
