The World Health Organisation (WHO) Independent High-Level Commission has proposed six bold recommendations to accelerate action and tackle the growing epidemic of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). It poses a stark warning that the Sustainable Development Goal for NCDs — to reduce premature deaths from NCDs by a third by 2030 and promote mental health — will not be met at the current rate of progress.

The report proposes six recommendations, including:

1. Increased political leadership and responsibility – Action on NCDs requires an upgrade in political leadership, and Heads of State and Governments must take the lead.

2. Prioritisation and scaling up – Governments should identify and implement a specific set of priorities within the overall NCD and mental health agenda.

3. Embed and expand NCDs within health systems and universal healthcare (UHC) – Synergies should be identified in existing chronic care platforms.

4. Collaborate and regulate – Governments should increase effective regulation and appropriate engagement with the private sector and civil society using a whole of society approach.

5. Improve financing – Implementing new means to invest in programmes to reverse the tide of NCDs – a new multi-donor fund, increased lending by international financial institutions for NCDs, an investors forum, and higher contributions to multilateral institutions, such as WHO, to ensure programme delivery.

6. Improve accountability – Accountability must be strengthened to ensure that the promises and commitments of Governments and the private sector are delivered.