Why it's 'Time to Lead'

The Time to Lead campaign was launched in 2024 to bring the NCD movement together and compel leaders to act ahead of the 2025 UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs and mental health.

Now, following HLM4, the campaign moves from commitments to delivery. World leaders must turn their pledges into accelerated action, increased investment, accountability and measurable progress — and, in some cases, go further with bolder action.

Leadership is needed at every level. Country leaders, state leaders, community leaders, civil society leaders, people with lived experience and partners across sectors all have a role to play.

Together, we can spark the change needed on NCDs.

We're calling for

Accelerate implementation

It’s time for governments to spark change. Fast-tracking national implementation of NCD policy recommendations will drive progress towards universal health and well-being, ensuring no one is left behind. It’s time to lead.

Break down siloes

Together, we can break down the siloes that discourage cooperation to advance global health and development priorities to achieve stronger outcomes that surpass traditional boundaries. Leaders can achieve more through integrated action.

Mobilise investment

Unleash vital funding for NCD prevention and care to align resources with the magnitude of the challenge. World leaders can trigger impactful investment for healthier societies.

Deliver accountability

Keep tabs, measure progress, and honour commitments to NCD prevention and care for the long haul. It's about leaders staying true to their promises, holding themselves accountable, and delivering on commitments to better health for all.

Engage communities

Activate community leadership and put people living with NCDs at the heart of a collaborative response from the global NCD community.

An unacceptable gap

Fifteen years after the first UN HLM on NCDs, an unacceptable health equity gap persists for individuals at risk of and living with NCDs. For example, insulin was discovered over 100 years ago, yet only half of those who need it to survive have reliable access to the drug. It’s time for governments to prioritise equitable care, it’s time to lead.

Although NCDs reach into every part of the globe, low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) are the hardest hit. 86% of premature deaths from NCDs between the ages of 30 and 70 occur in poorer countries. This makes NCDs far more than a health issue – they are a major human rights and equity issue, as they unfairly burden the poorest and most vulnerable populations with disease, disability and death. NCDs are both a cause and a consequence of poverty.

Limited access and resources

A country’s stage of economic development, cultural factors, and social and health policies also influence the chances of surviving an NCD. People in poor countries and communities generally have worse access to health care for timely diagnosis and treatment of NCDs, and conditions must be managed with limited resources.

At a household level, most people in LMICs pay out-of-pocket for much of their NCD treatment and care. Out-of-pocket health expenses push an estimated 100 million people worldwide into extreme poverty every year, and also contribute to constraining the “bottom billion” in chronic poverty.

Investing in NCDs is smart

A person shouldn't have to choose between buying life-saving medication or nutritious food for their family, but globally many do. Yet for every dollar invested in proven NCD prevention policies in poorer countries, at least US$7 are returned to society in increased employment, productivity, and longer life. It’s time to lead on NCDs with smart investments.

If the global community is to meet Sustainable Development Goal targets for 2030, NCDs must be urgently addressed.

It's time for decision-makers to prioritise equity and take proactive steps towards a fairer world.

TIM T LAD