Health and Global Policy Institute (HGPI) submitted its inputs on the web-based consultations on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health by World Health Organization (WHO). These consultations are for “the International dialogue on sustainable financing for NCDs and mental health” and for “the WHO Director-General’s report to the World Health Assembly 2025”

Both of the consultations are parts of the preparatory processes for the Fourth High-level Meeting of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on the Prevention and Control of NCDs that will be convened in 2025. The inputs for the processes from HGPI are compiled from the insights shared in the previous discussions at HGPI, which include discussions on prevention and control of NCDs and mental health, meaningful involvement of people with lived experience and planetary health.

Key points of the inputs

• NCDs and mental ill health are often multifactorial. Effective prevention and control of NCDs and mental health requires multidisciplinary and multisectoral approach where health, other sectors and local community can collaborate closely. Therefore, financial sources for the collective services should be diverse.
• As social stigma towards NCDs and mental health can significantly harness early diagnosis and timely interventions, financial sources for destigmatization should also be secured.
• Sharing good practices and knowledge on sustainable finance for NCDs and mental health among countries should be further promoted so that governments can learn from each other.
• Decisions on prevention and control, and its financing can impact on people with lived experience of NCDs and mental health. They should be centered in the decision-making process on what influence them. Social infra structure for institutionalization of social participation should be strengthened.
• The planetary health approach is effective in securing financial resources for addressing NCDs related to climate change and environmental pollution, due to their global impact and the need for international cooperation.
• Building a health system that is climate-resilient and sustainable and introducing a carbon tax and a tax on plastic products can help prevent NCDs and create a robust system for combating NCDs.