The global fight against non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in children and adolescents is facing critical challenges, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. A recent call to action, spearheaded by the World Health Organization (WHO) and highlighted ahead of the Fourth High-level Meeting of the UN General Assembly on NCDs in September 2025, emphasizes the urgent demand for renewed commitment and innovative strategies to improve survival rates and alleviate suffering for young people affected by these conditions. The focus is particularly acute regarding childhood cancer and sickle cell disease.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, along with colleagues including James R. Downing, Asilbek Khudayarov, Ussene Isse, and Iziaq Adekunle Salako, have underscored the growing burden of NCDs on children and adolescents. These diseases, traditionally associated with adulthood, are increasingly impacting younger populations, demanding a shift in global health priorities. The upcoming UN meeting presents a decennial opportunity to adopt a new political declaration on NCDs and mental health, aiming to accelerate prevention and control efforts towards the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
The Looming Gap in Global Health Targets
Progress towards achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal target 3.4 – reducing premature mortality from NCDs by one-third through prevention and treatment – is currently off track. According to the WHO, underinvestment in health services has created significant inequities in access to care and support for those affected by NCDs and mental health conditions. This disparity disproportionately impacts children and adolescents in low- and middle-income countries, where resources are often limited and healthcare systems are strained.
The Fourth UN High-level Meeting on NCDs, scheduled for September 25, 2025, aims to address this critical gap. Heads of States and Government will convene to establish a new vision for NCD prevention and control, and the promotion of mental health and wellbeing, extending through 2030 and beyond. The meeting will center around a new Political Declaration intended to form the core framework for accelerating global NCD prevention and control.
Malawi’s Strategy and the Focus on Childhood NCDs
While the broader global strategy is taking shape, specific national approaches are also emerging. Malawi is developing a strategy to address childhood non-communicable diseases, though details of the plan were not available in the provided sources. This initiative aligns with the global call for innovative and tailored solutions to tackle the unique challenges posed by NCDs in different contexts. The emphasis on childhood cancer and sickle cell disease reflects the particularly devastating impact these conditions have on young lives in many parts of the world.
The WHO stresses that addressing the global NCD burden and promoting mental health is no longer solely a health system problem. It requires a whole-of-government and whole-of-society collaboration, reshaping health systems, securing sustainable financing, and tackling the underlying social, economic, commercial, and environmental factors that contribute to risk and inequities. This holistic approach recognizes that NCDs are often linked to broader societal issues, such as poverty, lack of access to education, and unhealthy lifestyles.
The Need for Collaborative Action
The WHO is urging countries, non-governmental organizations, UN agencies, citizens, and individuals living with health conditions to join forces and support local and global efforts. This call for collective action underscores the complexity of the challenge and the need for a coordinated response. Improving survival rates and reducing suffering for children and adolescents with NCDs requires a multi-faceted approach that includes early detection, access to affordable treatment, and ongoing support for patients and their families.
The focus on sickle cell disease is particularly important, as it disproportionately affects populations of African descent. Early diagnosis and comprehensive care, including access to blood transfusions and hydroxyurea therapy, are crucial for improving outcomes for children with this condition. Similarly, advancements in childhood cancer treatment, such as improved chemotherapy regimens and access to specialized care centers, are essential for increasing survival rates.
The urgency of the situation cannot be overstated. Without concerted action, the health of individuals, households, and societies will be significantly affected in the long term. The upcoming UN High-level Meeting on NCDs represents a pivotal moment to reaffirm commitment, mobilize resources, and accelerate progress towards a healthier future for all children and adolescents.
The next key date to watch is September 25, 2025, when the outcomes of the Fourth High-level Meeting of the UN General Assembly on the prevention and control of NCDs will be announced, outlining the new global vision and political declaration. Further details on Malawi’s specific strategy are expected to be released in the coming months.
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