WHO chief: NCDs, mental health silent killers, more cost-effective solutions imperative

Noncommunicable diseases NCDs such as diabetes hypertension and cancers as well as mental health conditions like anxiety and depression are a silent killer World Health Organisation WHO Director General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on ThursdayHe urged countries to strengthen costeffective solutions to tackle the rising burden of NCDs and mental healthNoncommunicable diseases and mental health conditions are silent killers robbing us of lives and innovation said GhebreyesusIn a new report titled ldquoSaving lives spending lessrdquo the WHO revealed that an additional investment of just 3 per person annually in tackling NCDs could yield economic benefits of up to 1 trillion by 2030Interestingly the report showed 82 per cent of countries achieved reductions in NCD mortality between 2010 and 2019However the rate of progress slowed significantly 60 per cent across most regions with some countries even experiencing a resurgence in NCDrelated deathsNCDs are responsible for most global deaths while more than one billion people live with mental health conditions Alarmingly nearly 75 per cent of deaths related to NCDs and mental health conditions occur in low and middleincome countries accounting for 32 million lives lost each yearWe have the tools to save lives and reduce suffering Countries like Denmark South Korea and Moldova are leading the way while others are stalling Investing in the fight against NCDs isnt just smart economics its an urgent necessity for thriving societies the WHO DirectorGeneral saidWithout urgent and sustained action to tackle the conditions millions more lives will be lost prematurelyThe solutions to tackle NCDs and promote mental health and wellbeing are both affordable and highly costeffective the report saidThe WHO urged actions by governments against powerful industries whose products contribute to disease These include tobacco alcohol and ultraprocessed food companies who frequently attempt to block weaken or delay lifesaving policies ranging from health taxes to marketing restrictions aimed at protecting childrenldquoIt is unacceptable that commercial interests are profiting from increasing deaths and diseaserdquo said Dr Etienne Krug Director of WHOrsquos Department of Health Determinants Promotion and PreventionldquoGovernments must put people before profits and ensure evidencebased policy is not derailed by corporate pressurerdquo Krug saidThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever