World Health Organization

2022

Every year noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are responsible for 41 million deaths globally – three-quarters of these deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. Today, just a handful of countries are on track to reduce premature NCD mortality by one third by 2030, which is the NCD target of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Additionally, many countries are lagging behind on the integration of NCD services into their health systems. And now, the COVID-19 pandemic has further disrupted access to critical NCD services where they are most needed.