Nigeria, China, Egypt, Russia, Brazil, and Denmark are leading a quiet revolution in global health.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) praised these countries for cutting deaths from non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including heart disease and various cancers.
However, the battle remains far from over, as pancreatic and liver cancers, along with neurological disorders, continue to claim lives.
Small Investment, Huge Impact
Moreover, WHO’s latest report, Saving Lives, Spending Less, highlights a striking opportunity: governments can invest just US$3 per person each year in proven interventions to save millions of lives and generate over US$1 trillion in economic benefits by 2030.
Between 2010 and 2019, 82% of countries reduced NCD deaths, but the progress slowed, and some nations even saw a resurgence.
Globally, NCDs and mental health conditions now cause the majority of deaths, with nearly three-quarters occurring in low- and middle-income countries.
Urgent Action Needed
Read Also: Nigeria’s Pharma Boom Fuels Health Stock Rally
Looking ahead, world leaders will convene on September 25 for the Fourth United Nations General Assembly High-Level Meeting.
“Non-communicable diseases and mental health conditions silently kill,” said WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus.
“We have the tools to save lives.
Tackling NCDs isn’t just smart economics—it ensures societies thrive.”
Consequently, WHO urges governments to act decisively: they should tax tobacco and alcohol, protect children from harmful marketing, manage hypertension, and expand cervical cancer screening.
Fully implementing these measures could prevent 28 million heart attacks and strokes, save 12 million lives, and add 150 million healthy life years.
Ultimately, the message is clear: governments must act now, or millions more will die unnecessarily.
