Brasilia, March 26, 2025 (PAHO) - A new report highlights a troubling paradox in the Americas: while the region has seen a slight decrease in premature mortality from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like hypertension, diabetes, and various cancers — decreasing from 15.2% in 2010 to 14% in 2021 — only five countries are on course to meet the ambitious target of a 25% reduction in premature mortality from NCDs by 2025, known as the 25x25 target.

In a striking appeal during the Regional Meeting on Noncommunicable Disease Prevention and Control, held in Brasilia from March 24-26, Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), called for urgent action to tackle the key drivers of NCD-related mortality, which claims approximately 6 million lives each year in the Americas.

"More than 240 million people across the Americas are battling NCDs and require ongoing treatment, which is often available through primary health care," Dr. Barbosa stressed. He also noted that the majority of individuals suffering from these diseases receive inadequate care or may face dire consequences due to poor management and control of their conditions.

The economic implications are equally alarming; Dr. Barbosa emphasized that while further research is needed to get a clearer picture, projections indicate that ten South American countries could see combined economic losses from NCDs and mental health conditions reach a staggering $7.3 trillion by 2050, representing a significant 4% of the region’s GDP.

However, there is a glimmer of hope. "The good news is that we have both the knowledge and the tools to prevent and manage NCDs," said Dr. Barbosa. He highlighted effective strategies known as the NCD ‘best buys’ — cost-effective policies and health interventions that include imposing higher taxes on tobacco and alcohol, implementing front-of-package food labeling, offering HPV vaccinations to girls under 15, and increasing treatment coverage for hypertension and diabetes.

Despite some of these interventions already being in play across various countries, Dr. Barbosa underlined the need for an urgent increase in resources and scaling up these efforts to ensure quality healthcare for all affected individuals.

The meeting brought together a diverse group, including PAHO experts, heads of national NCD programs, and representatives from civil society, and focused on key priorities essential for accelerating progress towards the 25x25 target ahead of the 4th United Nations High-Level Meeting on NCDs scheduled for September 2025. Areas of focus included:

Increasing investment and strengthening leadership in NCD prevention and health services

Expanding access to primary healthcare for better diagnosis, treatment, and coverage

Promoting a coordinated policy approach across government sectors to address NCDs comprehensively

In a bid to enhance care for those suffering from NCDs, the PAHO Director inaugurated the "Better Care for NCDs" initiative in 2023, which is designed to provide equitable access to integrated and comprehensive NCD services within primary healthcare systems throughout the Americas.

"I urge everyone to join forces with PAHO to drive the success of this vital initiative," Dr. Barbosa concluded. "Together, we can make substantial progress in reaching our NCD targets and significantly improve the health and wellbeing of people across the Americas."

As the countdown to the 2025 target continues, the stakes have never been higher. Will these five countries be the heroes of this public health narrative, or will the rest of the Americas fall short in this crucial quest? Stay tuned for more updates!