Update: This event has been cancelled due to unexpected circumstances beyond our control. We apologize for the inconvenience.
The Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) and the United Nations Foundation are organizing the event "Leveraging Successes on NCDs for Economic Benefit", on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, from 8:00 to 9:30 am (Washington DC time or EDT). The event will convene key leaders in finance, development and health ministers as well as other key stakeholders to discuss this timely and critical agenda, ahead to the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development, the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, and the Fourth UN High-Level Meeting on the prevention and control of NCDs and Mental Health.
The objectives of the event are:
- Highlight the Economic Benefits of Addressing NCDs: Demonstrate how investment in NCD prevention and care generates economic value, including improved productivity, stronger GDP growth, and enhanced fiscal sustainability.
- Showcase Cost-Effective Success Stories: Present real-world examples of strategies that have addressed NCDs effectively and provided healthcare savings, making the case for financial investment.
- Foster Strategic Partnerships: Strengthen partnerships and encourage collaboration in preparation for the Fourth UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs and Mental Health.
Context
Addressing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health represents a significant economic challenge, with some estimates predicting that NCDs could lead to annual losses as high as 4% of total GDP in some cases between 2020 and 2050. This economic burden stems from reduced productivity, increased healthcare costs, and diminished workforce participation, which undermine economic and fiscal conditions.
At the same time, NCDs cause immense public health consequences, leading to over 43 million deaths globally each year, with 41% of these deaths occurring prematurely during the most productive years of life. Diseases like cancer, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, and diabetes not only reduce life expectancy but also contribute to disability and a diminished quality of life for millions.
However, there is a growing body of evidence-based guidance and successful cases from the Americas region that demonstrate how countries can mitigate these impacts. Proven strategies in prevention, screening, and treatment, along with targeted financial instruments and increased access tomedicines and technologies demonstrate the potential to achieve both financial and public health gains.
Audience
This event is particularly relevant for policymakers on financing and investments related to health, including NCDs, access to medicines, and health systems; Ministers of Finance, Health or Development; parliamentarians and diplomatic representatives; and private sector and philanthropic leaders.
Agenda (Provisional)
- 8:00 a.m. Introduction: UN Foundation
- Cecilia Mundaca Shah, Vice President, Global Health Strategy, United Nations Foundation
- 8:05 a.m. Setting the scene: 2025 A year of opportunity for NCDs and Mental Health
- Inga Rhonda King, Permanent Representative of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to the United Nations, Co-Facilitator of UN High Level Meeting on NCDs and Mental Health (invited)
- Carmen Montón, Permanent Observer of Spain to the OAS; host country of the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) (invited)
- 8:15 a.m. Moderated Discussion:
- Jarbas Barbosa, Director of the Pan American Health Organization
- Jumana Qamruddin, Global Program Lead, Service Delivery, World Bank
- Javier Guzmán, Division Chief, Health, Nutrition and Population, Inter-America Development Bank (invited)
- 9:00 a.m. Interventions from the floor and discussion (event moderator)
- 9:25 a.m. Closing remarks