World leaders at the 80th United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted a landmark political declaration on September 25, 2025. Titled “Equity and integration: transforming lives and livelihoods through leadership and action on noncommunicable diseases and the promotion of mental health and well-being,” this is the first document addressing NCDs and mental health together.
NCDs claim 18 million lives prematurely each year, while over a billion people face mental health challenges globally. Both rise in every country, driven by preventable risks like poor diets, tobacco, alcohol, inactivity, and air pollution.
This declaration marks a pivotal shift toward integrated solutions for sustainable health and economic growth.
Bold “Fast-Track” Targets for 2030
- The declaration sets three unprecedented global outcome targets by 2030:
- 150 million fewer tobacco users worldwide
- 150 million more people with hypertension under control
- 150 million more people accessing mental health care
Supporting process targets ensure countries build capacity:
| Target | Achievement Goal by 2030 |
| Countries with NCD/mental health policies & fiscal measures | 80% |
| Primary care facilities with essential medicines & tech | 80% |
| Countries with financial protection for NCD/mental services | 60% |
| Countries with multisectoral national plans | 80% |
| Countries with surveillance systems | 80% |
WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated, “These bold targets testify to Member States’ commitment to protect health and deliver well-being for all.”
Expanded Scope Addresses Emerging Threats
This most comprehensive NCD declaration yet incorporates COVID-19 lessons and new challenges:
- Broader NCDs: Oral health, lung disease, childhood cancer, liver/kidney disease, rare diseases
- Environmental risks: Air pollution, clean cooking, lead, hazardous chemicals
- Digital harms: Social media, screen time, mis/disinformation
It sharpens regulations on e-cigarettes, novel tobacco, child food marketing, front-of-pack labeling, and trans fats elimination.
Equity drives the approach, prioritizing people with NCDs/mental health conditions, climate-vulnerable groups, Small Island Developing States, and humanitarian settings.
Financing and Whole-of-Society Commitment
Recognizing economic pressures, the declaration urges sustained funding through domestic investment, international partnerships, and multilateral coordination. It demands “whole-of-government” and “whole-of-society” action, engaging civil society, youth, disabled persons, and those with lived experience.
NCDs and mental health now anchor sustainable development and social justice goals.
Accountability Framework to 2030 and Beyond
The UN Secretary-General will report progress before the next High-Level Meeting. WHO and UN agencies will help translate commitments into national action, ensuring sustained impact.
This builds on three prior declarations, creating measurable pathways to a healthier future.
Q&A: Understanding the UN NCDs and Mental Health Declaration
Q: Why combine NCDs and mental health in one declaration?
A: Shared risk factors and impacts require integrated approaches for maximum effectiveness.
Q: What makes these 2030 targets “fast-track”?
A: Ambitious, measurable goals prioritize rapid progress on tobacco, hypertension, and mental health access.
Q: How will countries achieve the process targets?
A: Through policy, primary care upgrades, financial protection, national plans, and surveillance systems.
Q: Does the declaration address new risks?
A: Yes, it covers digital harms, air pollution, e-cigarettes, and expanded NCD categories like childhood cancer.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: How many premature deaths do NCDs cause annually?
A1: 18 million lives lost each year, affecting all ages and income levels globally.
Q2: What are the main NCD risk factors addressed?
A2: Unhealthy diets, tobacco, alcohol, inactivity, air pollution—all impacting mental health too.
Q3: Who does the equity focus protect?
A3: NCD/mental health patients, climate-vulnerable people, Small Island States, humanitarian settings.
Q4: How is financing strengthened vs. past declarations?
A4: Stronger language urges domestic funding, partnerships, and multilateral coordination amid economic challenges.
Q5: What happens after 2030?
A5: UN progress reports ensure accountability; WHO supports national implementation long-term.
