This is the first-ever political declaration to jointly address Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) and mental health, adopted at the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), with specific targets for 2030 (refer infographic).
About the Declaration
- Expanded Scope: New NCDs areas included like oral health, lung health, childhood cancer, etc.
- New Determinants Covered: Air pollution, clean cooking, lead exposure & hazardous chemicals.
- Digital Health Risks: included for the first time, like harm from social media, excessive screen time, misinformation & disinformation.
- Stronger regulation: For tobacco, unhealthy foods, trans fats & e-cigarettes.
- Whole-of-government & whole-of-society approach: includes engagement of civil society, youth, persons with disabilities, private sector.
- Clear accountability: With the UN Secretary-General reporting on targets & WHO support.
Significance of the declaration
- NCDs cause ~18 million premature deaths/year.
- They tend to be of long duration and are the result of a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental and behavioural factors.
- Mental health conditions affect 1+ billion people globally.
- They both are driven by common, preventable risk factors: tobacco, unhealthy diets, alcohol, inactivity, air pollution.
Initiatives taken in India for
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