The case for financing action on noncommunicable diseases – even, and especially, in times of crisis

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), like diabetes, hypertension, cancers, and mental health conditions, are the leading cause of early deaths around the world. Every year, we pay the price of inaction: USD $2 trillion in lost productivity and health care costs, and 43 million lives lost to a treatable or preventable condition.

Yet, there is hope: NCD solutions offer a whopping 19:1 return on investment—every step forward or faster will mean saving more lives and spending less.

In today’s turbulent landscape, there is a risk that leaders might look at the problem of NCDs and think, “this can wait.” In this new position paper, we argue why this view is a missed opportunity and urge leaders to prioritize three key NCD financing actions:

• Increase total resources for health, including by repurposing spending on unhealthy products.
• Make the health budget go further with efficient win-win solutions for NCDs and beyond
• Track and show the flow of NCD spending, from budget to real-world benefit

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