The European Brain Council welcomes landmark commitment to integrated approach for NCDs and mental health.
Last week, 175 UN Member States adopted the Political Declaration of the Fourth High-Level Meeting on Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) and Mental Health – the first declaration to address NCDs and mental health together through a fully integrated approach, and crucially, the first to explicitly recognise brain health within an NCD strategy. Adopted on 15 December following procedural delays, the declaration represents an overwhelming global consensus on the urgency of action.
This inclusion of brain health represents a watershed moment. Just months ago, neurological conditions were not even considered part of the global NCD framework. Thanks to extensive advocacy from the brain health community, this declaration now acknowledges that neurological and mental health are inseparable components of overall brain health.
The declaration addresses some of the world’s most pressing health challenges. NCDs currently claim 18 million lives prematurely each year, whilst mental health conditions affect over a billion people globally. These conditions are often driven by preventable risk factors such as unhealthy diets, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, and air pollution – many of which also negatively impact mental health.
Titled “Equity and integration: transforming lives and livelihoods through leadership and action on noncommunicable diseases and the promotion of mental health and well-being“, the declaration marks a significant evolution from previous commitments by establishing three ambitious global targets to be achieved by 2030:
✔️150 million more people with access to mental health care
✔️150 million more people with hypertension under control
✔️150 million fewer tobacco users
To support countries in reaching these goals, the declaration sets measurable process targets for national systems by 2030, including commitments that at least 80% of countries will have operational, multisectoral national plans for NCDs and mental health, and that at least 80% of primary health care facilities will have access to affordable, WHO-recommended essential medicines and basic technologies for NCDs and mental health.
This political declaration is the most comprehensive to date, integrating lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic and responding to new global challenges. Its unprecedented scope includes many pressing issues addressed for the first time, such as:
✔️ broader NCD areas: oral health, lung health, childhood cancer, liver disease, kidney disease, and rare diseases;
✔️ expanded environmental determinants: air pollution, clean cooking, lead exposure, and hazardous chemicals; and
✔️evolving risk of digital harms: social media exposure, excessive screen time, harmful content, and the risks of mis- and disinformation.
This is about more than health policy – it’s about equity, sustainable development and recognising that brain health affects us all. With mental health conditions affecting over a billion people globally and NCDs claiming 18 million lives prematurely each year, this declaration charts the course towards a healthier and more equitable future.
Now comes the vital work of translating these commitments into national action. The European Brain Council stands ready to support this effort, bringing together the expertise of our community to ensure that brain health remains at the heart of health policy across Europe and beyond. As advocates for brain health, we recognise that this integrated approach to NCDs and mental health represents a crucial step forward in addressing the full spectrum of conditions affecting the brain, from neurological disorders to mental health challenges. The declaration’s emphasis on equity, multisectoral collaboration, and evidence-based interventions aligns closely with our mission and values.
We look forward to working with policymakers, healthcare professionals, researchers, patient organisations and all stakeholders to turn these ambitious targets into tangible improvements in the lives of people across Europe and globally.