PAHO Director’s Opening Remarks – PAHO Press Briefing on NCDs - July 15, 2025
|
Washington, DC Good morning and thank you for joining us. Too often, we think about health in narrow terms. But good health is not only vital for individuals. It is a powerful engine for security, economic growth, societal development, and prosperity. It impacts our economies, our communities, and our collective future. Today, we are launching a new PAHO report - Major Storm on the Horizon - developed in collaboration with the School of Public Health at Harvard University, that makes this connection clear. The findings are stark: between 2020 and 2050, noncommunicable diseases—or NCDs—and mental health conditions are projected to cost South America more than 7.3 trillion U.S. dollars in lost productivity and health care spending. That is primarily due to premature deaths, disability, and reduced workforce participation. To put it in perspective, that’s equivalent to the entire annual GDP of Latin America and the Caribbean—lost to preventable and treatable conditions. This is not abstract—this projects massive economic losses for countries ranging from $88 billion in Uruguay to $3.7 trillion in Brazil. That’s the equivalent of up to 4.5% of GDP in some countries. These aren’t just health statistics—they are fiscal alarm bells. This is not just another health crisis. The escalating burden of NCDs and mental health conditions has become an economic emergency—perhaps the worst economic disaster in health. People living with NCDs like cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory conditions are at the heart of this storm. While the report focuses on South America, its message rings true for the entire Region and the world. Latest data shows that NCDs are the leading cause of death in the Americas, claiming 6 million lives in 2021. Nearly 40% of these losses occurred prematurely, to people under the age of 70. Cardiovascular disease and cancer alone account for more than half. Meanwhile, diabetes is rising rapidly—an estimated 43 million people with diabetes are unable to access the treatment they need. Mental health conditions are also increasing, further straining health systems and productivity. This rising prevalence of NCDs is driven by aging and exposure to risk factors. Today, 240 million people in the Americas live with an NCD, all of whom need continuous, affordable quality care—starting at the primary care level. The good news? Many of these conditions are preventable. The main risk factors - tobacco use, unhealthy diets, lack of physical activity, harmful alcohol use, and air pollution- can all be addressed. And the trends are concerning. Since 2000, adult obesity in the region has increased by 67.5%, diabetes by 53.6%, and physical inactivity by 24.1%. About 67.5 % of adults in the Americas are overweight, well above the global average of 43.5%. And the region also has the highest levels of physical inactivity—35.6%, compared to 31.3% globally. Risk reduction is both urgent and essential. But we know progress is possible—with the right investments. First, prevention pays. Since 2000, cardiovascular and cancer mortality have declined significantly, thanks to policy and innovation. PAHO’s HEARTS Initiative—now implemented in 33 countries—has helped over 5.7 million people manage hypertension through primary care. Healthy diets and regular physical activity are medicine against NCDs. We can prevent up to 40% of cancers by reducing tobacco use, improving diets, and promoting active lifestyles. And we can eliminate cervical cancer with vaccines, early screening, and treatment of precancerous lesions. Second, early diagnosis and access to treatment save lives and strengthen economies. Health systems that detect risks early and act swiftly improve not just survival but economic growth and wellness. PAHO is helping countries expand access to essential medicines and diagnostics, strengthen their health systems, and improve data through our Better Care for NCDs Initiative. Our Revolving Funds are also enabling equitable access to diagnostics, HPV vaccines, and NCD treatments. But we must go further—only 36% of people with hypertension have it controlled and 57.7% of people with diabetes are receiving treatment. Third, the world is waking up to the threat of NCDs. This September, during the United Nations General Assembly, the Fourth UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs and Mental Health will offer a pivotal opportunity to take action. Governments, civil society, academia, and the private sector will come together to renew global commitments and adopt a new political declaration to reduce premature deaths from NCDs and promote mental well-being. PAHO is supporting our Member States with technical guidance, regional consultations, and a new collection of best practices. We also need financing solutions. National health budgets must prioritize NCDs and mental health. And fiscal policies—like excise taxes on tobacco, alcohol, and sugary beverages—can fund reforms while improving public health. Health is the foundation of development, security, and prosperity. And while the challenge is great, the window for action is wide open. Tackling NCDs and improving mental health gives us a clear path to a better future. But it requires bold, coordinated, and data-driven policy. So today, I urge all governments, partners, and communities: Make health central to your economic strategies. The report we launch today underscores what’s at stake: trillions of dollars in economic losses, and countless lives. The time to act is now. Thank you. Dr. Jarbas Barbosa |