The Lancet Taskforce on NCDs and economics

The Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 3.4 commits countries to reducing by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This Lancet Taskforce on NCDs and economics—an official partner of the WHO Independent High-level Commission on NCDs—links SDG target 3.4 with eight SDGs in addition to SDG 3 (healthy lives and well being) and demonstrates the tight-knit connection between economic growth and controlling NCDs. The five Taskforce papers show that poverty drives and is driven by NCDs, but that financial protection from high medical costs can break this cycle; price policies and taxation are effective means to reduce NCD risk factors, such as tobacco and unhealthy diet, and can reduce inequalities; and that investment in NCD control results in increased economic growth.