WHO framework for meaningful engagement of people living with noncommunicable diseases, and mental health and neurological conditions

The WHO Framework for Meaningful Engagement of People Living with NCDs and Mental Health and Neurological Conditions is a WHO technical product designed to provide practical guidance, norms, and standards to support WHO and Member States advancing, co-creating, and enhancing policies, programmes, and services through the meaningful engagement of individuals with lived experience of these health conditions.

WHO has defined meaningful engagement as the respectful, dignified, equitable inclusion of individuals with lived experience in a range of processes and activities within an enabling environment where power is transferred to people; valuing lived experience as a form of expertise and applying it to improve health outcomes.

The Framework outlines a set of underlying principles and enablers that have been identified as essential to support the transition from intention to action in operationalizing meaningful engagement. The process to develop the Framework was co-created by people with lived experience from all WHO geographic regions with representatives across WHO, Member States, and various non-state actors.