World leaders meeting at the Eightieth United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) have adopted a landmark political declaration that, for the first time, addresses noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health together under a single, integrated global framework.

Adopted following months of intergovernmental negotiations and endorsed at the fourth UN High-Level Meeting on the prevention and control of NCDs and the promotion of mental health and well-being on September 25, the declaration signals a major shift in how governments plan to tackle some of the world’s most pervasive and costly health challenges.

Titled “Equity and integration: transforming lives and livelihoods through leadership and action on noncommunicable diseases and the promotion of mental health and well-being,” the declaration lays out a set of measurable global targets to be achieved by 2030, positioning health not only as a social priority but as a driver of productivity and sustainable economic growth.

Today, NCDs — including heart disease, cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory illnesses — are responsible for an estimated 18 million premature deaths each year. At the same time, mental health conditions affect more than one billion people worldwide. Both burdens are rising in every country and across all income groups, driven by shared risk factors such as unhealthy diets, tobacco and alcohol use, physical inactivity and air pollution — factors that also undermine mental well-being.

Clear targets for 2030

In a significant departure from previous political commitments, the declaration establishes three first-ever global “fast-track” outcome targets to be reached by the end of the decade: 150 million fewer tobacco users worldwide; 150 million more people with hypertension under effective control; and 150 million more people with access to mental health care.

To support these outcomes, governments also committed to a set of system-level targets. By 2030, at least 80% of countries are expected to have policy, legislative, regulatory and fiscal measures in place to address NCDs and mental health. The declaration also calls for 80% of primary health care facilities to have access to affordable, WHO-recommended essential medicines and basic technologies, and for 60% of countries to implement financial protection policies that limit out-of-pocket costs for essential services.

Other commitments include operational, multisectoral national plans and robust surveillance and monitoring systems in at least 80% of countries.

“The adoption of these bold targets to control noncommunicable diseases and promote mental health is a testament to the commitment of Member States to protect the health of their people,” said WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “Together, we can change the trajectory of NCDs and mental health, and deliver health, well-being and opportunity for all.”

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