Together for lifelong health

UN HLM on NCDs and Mental Health: Joint statement on the importance of embedding life-course immunization and integrated multimorbidity approaches in NCD prevention and care

On the occasion of the UN General Assembly's Fourth High-Level Meeting on NCDs and Mental Health, the International Federation on Ageing (IFA), the Global Allergy & Airways Patient Platform (GAAPP), the International Longevity Centre UK (ILC UK) , the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) and the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA) urge Member States to embed life-course immunization within national health strategies and address the unique challenges of age-related multimorbidity.

While NCDs affect individuals across all ages, their prevalence increases, making them leading drivers of mortality, hospitalization, frailty, and health system strain worldwide. Furthermore, the prevalence of multimorbidity, which refers to the coexistence of two or more chronic health conditions in one individual, also increases with age, adding to the global burden of NCDs.

Strengthening prevention and early action for lifelong health

Prevention is a strategic necessity to curb the rising burden of NCDs and mental health conditions. A comprehensive response must ensure a continuum of care - prevention, early detection, diagnosis, and timely treatment - to avoid complications, protect overstretched health systems, and support lifelong well-being.

Immunization is a cornerstone of effective NCD strategies, safeguarding older adults and people living with NCDs - including those with chronic respiratory diseases - from infectious diseases, particularly respiratory infections such as COVID-19, seasonal influenza, pneumococcal disease, and RSV, which can worsen existing conditions, disrupt treatments, and accelerate exacerbations and health decline.

Expanding both primary and secondary prevention, alongside investing in the "Silver Economy," will generate substantial social and economic returns. Adult immunization programs alone have been shown to yield up to 19 times their cost by improving health outcomes, extending workforce participation and productivity, and reducing pressure on health systems.

Addressing multimorbidity through integrated approaches

However, prevention and immunization are only part of the solution. Tackling NCD multimorbidity requires integrated, people-centered approaches that address shared risk.

factors, enable early detection, and ensure timely access to preventive services and treatment, including pharmacist-led immunization. As accessible first points of contact, pharmacies improve access and uptake when immunization is offered close to where people with NCDs - including chronic respiratory diseases - live and work. These approaches are vital to halting disease progression, preserving physical and cognitive function, extending quality of life, and reducing avoidable healthcare costs while meeting patient needs and priorities.

Investing in "protection to prevent" measures - including immunization and integrated multimorbidity care - is especially critical for aging populations, who often live with multiple chronic conditions and face functional decline.

By prioritizing life-course immunization and integrated multimorbidity approaches to prevention and care, governments can not only reduce long-term healthcare costs but also foster productivity, resilience, and well-being across the life span. We call on governments, health systems, and professional bodies to leverage the full scope of healthcare providers - including pharmacists - to deliver equitable, convenient, and coordinated immunization services as part of integrated NCD prevention and care, thereby embedding life-course immunization in national strategies to boost primary health care in achieving universal health coverage for all.

The 4th HLM on NCDs and Mental Health in September 2025 is a timely opportunity to remind the world of its commitments to address this global challenge collectively. Our organizations and partners remain committed to playing their part, including through collaborations with other stakeholders.