UNGA: PAHO to join global call for action at High-level Meeting on NCDs and Mental Health

With NCDs causing 80% of deaths in the Americas and mental health needs rising, PAHO brings a strong regional voice to global discussions. Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa will take part in key events and push for concrete action and strengthened cooperation.

Washington, DC, September 18, 2025 (PAHO) - On 25 September, global leaders will gather at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York for the Fourth High-level Meeting (HLM4) on the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) and the Promotion of Mental Health and Wellbeing. The meeting will adopt a Political Declaration to accelerate efforts to reduce NCDs-such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer-and improve mental health outcomes by 2030.

Led by Director Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) will bring the Americas' perspective, emphasizing equitable health systems and community-based care to tackle these growing challenges.

"The rising burden of NCDs and mental health conditions is a storm threatening lives and economies across our region", said Dr. Barbosa. "By prioritizing universal health coverage, bold fiscal policies, and early detection, prevention and control, we can protect millions and build a healthier future for the Americas".

A call for urgent action

NCDs are responsible for over 80% of deaths in the Americas, while depression remains a leading cause of disability and suicide the fourth-leading cause of death among youth aged 15-29. Yet progress toward Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 3.4-reducing premature NCD mortality by one-third and promoting mental health-is off track, due to persistent underinvestment and inequities in access to care. HLM4 calls for whole-of-government and whole-of-society collaboration, sustainable financing, and action on social, economic, and environmental risk factors.

PAHO has been at the forefront of regional efforts to reduce the burden of NCDs and improve public health, contributing to a 16% decline in chronic disease mortality and a 22% reduction in tobacco use in the Americas since 2000. More recently, initiatives such as Better Care for NCDs and HEARTS are helping countries strengthen primary care and accelerate progress through improved detection, treatment, and management of conditions like hypertension and diabetes.

Countries are also advancing policies such as front-of-package food labeling, HPV vaccination programs, and expanded mental health services. However, challenges remain-particularly around unequal access, stigma, and industry interference.

Dr. Barbosa's participation at UNGA 80

During UNGA week, Dr. Barbosa will participate in key side events:

• September 22:
  • Delivers opening remarks at "Partnering for Impact: Leveraging Cross-Sector Partnerships for Suicide Prevention in the Americas," with the WHO Foundation and Boehringer Ingelheim.
  • Speaks at "Health Without Borders: Building a Global Workforce for the Future," a fireside chat hosted by Devex and the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties.
  • Joins a panel on "Bridging the Divide: Non-communicable and Infectious Diseases," hosted by Mérieux Foundation and Weill Cornell Medicine, exploring links between diseases like HPV and cervical cancer.
• September 23:
  • Provides closing remarks at "High Blood Pressure, High Stakes: Translating Commitment into Life-Saving Action," hosted by WHO, Resolve to Save Lives, and Bloomberg Philanthropies, focusing on global hypertension solutions.
  • Participates in a roundtable, "Bridging the Gap: Scaling Innovative Approaches to NCD Medicine Access in LMICs," organized by the Medicines Patent Pool, NCD Alliance, and others.
  • Contributes to "Revolutionizing Care for Noncommunicable Diseases: Expanding Access through Primary Health Care," co-hosted by Mexico and Saudi Arabia with PAHO and the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (EMRO) support.
• September 24:
  • Speaks at "Advancing Climate and Health Action on the Road to COP30," hosted by Brazil, discussing the Belém Health Action Plan.
  • Joins "The Value of Vision: The Case for Investment," organized by Antigua and Barbuda and UN Friends of Vision.
  • Participates in "Political Action and Investment for Mental Health Equity," hosted by Antigua and Barbuda and the Clinton Initiative; and "The Political Economy of Implementing PHC: Key Policy Shifts," led by Kazakhstan and the Primary Healthcare Coalition (PHC Coalition).
• September 25:
  • Participates in the CARICOM-led side event, "From Port-of-Spain to HLM4 - Celebrating 18 Years of CARICOM Leadership on NCDs."
  • Attends the Clinton Global Initiative's (CGI) roundtable, "Architecting a Thriving Digital Future."
  • Speaks at the CGI Leaders Stage on "A New Blueprint for Global Health."
  • In addition to these events, Dr. Barbosa will hold bilateral meetings with key global health and development partners and is expected to sign several cooperation agreements to advance public health priorities in the Americas.
  • PAHO calls on Member States, NGOs, and communities to unite in supporting HLM4's vision for equitable, rights-based, and integrated health systems that leave no one behind.