More than 40 leading public health organisations and individuals* are urging the Australian Government to use its influence to push for an ambitious global response to address growing rates of chronic, often preventable diseases including cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and poor mental health, at the first United Nations meeting to be held on the issue in seven years.

The Political Declaration released at the upcoming United Nations High Level Meeting on Non-Communicable Diseases and Mental Health on 25 September in New York will directly influence national, regional and international health priorities for years to come. Continuous attention and investment are also required after the meeting to ensure commitments are met and solutions implemented.

The burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) weighs heaviest on those with fewest resources. More than three-quarters of deaths from NCDs are in low- and middle-income countries; 17 million of these are in people younger than 70 years old.1 In high-income countries, the burden of NCDs is greatest in already underserved communities.

• Call to action
• Press release