Action for Global Health Response to UK HLM on NCDs Statement

Action for Global Health were thrilled to see Minister Chapman championing the urgency and importance of tackling non-communicable diseases (NCDs) at the United Nations today. NCDs now cause three out of four deaths worldwide and today’s High-Level Meeting is a critical milestone to turn the tide on millions of preventable deaths. 

We welcome the minister’s emphasis on tackling the key determinants of poor health – from malnutrition to the effects of climate change – and that this will require working across sectors and with a broad range of partners. The ‘whole-of-society’ approach to health envisioned by the minister can only be achieved through ‘whole-of-government’ buy-in – and we believe this would be best outlined and delivered through a cross-government Global Health Strategy. This strategy could translate the ‘collective resolve’ the minister highlights into tangible action on NCDs and in reducing health inequalities globally. 

We also agree that strong national health systems are the bedrock for tackling non-communicable and communicable diseases. And yet, the UK’s ongoing cuts to Official Development Assistance (ODA) have hugely undermined and will continue to weaken health systems globally. It is absolutely critical that the UK invests strongly in health systems strengthening – including through bilateral partnerships, multilateral contributions, and health research. If the UK is truly ‘committed to this work’, it must contribute its part. 

Katie Husselby, Director of Action for Global Health, said:

“Yesterday’s statement from Minister Chapman rightly highlighted that tackling non-communicable diseases requires a whole-of-society response. We welcome this recognition — it mirrors our own call for stronger health systems and action on the social and commercial determinants of health.

But the UK cannot deliver on this vision while continuing to cut Official Development Assistance. Sustainable, people-centred health systems are the bedrock of progress against both non-communicable and communicable diseases. If the UK is truly committed, it must reverse aid cuts and invest in health systems strengthening — through bilateral partnerships, multilateral contributions and health research.

The High-Level Meeting has shown that there is global momentum for change. The UK now has an opportunity to match its rhetoric with action.”