5-11 September 2022

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), also known as chronic diseases, include neurological and mental health conditions, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma) and diabetes. NCDs tend to be of long duration and are the result of a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental and behavioural factors.

Neurological conditions cause the greatest disability, highest cost and are the fastest-growing cause of deaths among NCDs.

The Global Week for Action on NCDs unites the NCD community every September, concentrating our combined efforts to help reduce the NCD burden globally and improve health equity for all. This year, the campaign spotlights the need for increased and urgent investment so that NCDs are given the attention, prevention, treatment and care that they need.

The campaign calls on everyone, everywhere to take action and be a force for change. From posting on social media, to contacting local politicians and policy makers, to organising a health-promoting event for your community, no action is too small; no voice is insignificant.

#InvestToProtect

From 2020 to 2025, each year we focus on a specific theme. In 2022, the theme is Investment.

Lack of resources and investment in NCD prevention and care is costing the world millions of lives and dollars each year. Yet, there are powerful and cost-effective actions that countries can take to turn the tide on NCDs. An investment of less than US$1 per person per year in cost-effective measures to prevent and treat NCDs could save 7 million lives in LMICs, add a total of 50 million years of healthy life, and help realize US$230 billion in economic gains by 2030.
For decades, NCDs have remained one of the most underfunded global health issues relative to the billions of people impacted—with a paltry 1-2% of total development assistance for health dedicated to NCDs in the past 20 years.

This year, we are calling on governments, donors, international agencies and the private sector to bridge this investment gap and address the fundamental mismatch between the healthcare needs and rights of people living with NCDs, and the resources allocated to respond.

Investment in health is within the reach of all countries, and this year the NCD community is demanding an end to the massive disregard of human life. It is time to prioritise the urgent need for increased NCD financing to prevent and treat NCDs and build resilient health systems that leave no one behind.

Learn how you can take action to support the campaign by visiting actonncds.org