WHO encourages investment in healthy food systems to reduce noncommunicable diseases

At the United Nations General Assembly in New York, world leaders endorsed a new Political Declaration on noncommunicable diseases and mental health. The declaration, described by the World Health Organization as “the strongest yet”, highlights both the urgent health burden and the opportunities for sustainable food systems to improve global well-being.

A growing global health challenge
Noncommunicable diseases such as cancers, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and chronic respiratory illnesses now account for 43 million deaths each year, seven of the world’s ten leading causes of death. Notably, 18 million of these lives are lost prematurely before the age of 70. At the same time, nearly one billion people live with mental health conditions.

According to the World Health Organization, these are not inevitable tragedies. Noncommunicable diseases and mental health conditions are both preventable and treatable. What is needed is commitment, speed, and scale.

Linking health and climate
The World Health Organization’s declaration recognises that health does not begin in hospitals or clinics, but in homes, schools, streets and workplaces, in the food people eat, the products they consume, the water they drink, the air they breathe, and the conditions in which they live and work.

Here, the food system plays a critical role. Unhealthy diets are a major driver of obesity and diet-related noncommunicable diseases, with 41 million children over the age of five now overweight or obese worldwide. The declaration calls for eliminating trans-fatty acids, reducing sugar and salt in processed foods, and protecting children from aggressive marketing of unhealthy products.

By transforming food environments, governments and industries can help reduce the risk of noncommunicable diseases while also advancing climate goals, creating healthier populations and lowering carbon footprints.

Denmark’s pathways to food for people and planet
Denmark is well positioned to advance the double agenda of healthy lives within planetary boundaries. Through public private partnerships, Denmark has driven measurable dietary shifts, including higher intake of whole grains and legumes, supported by clear front of pack initiatives such as the Nordic Keyhole label. Together with the Official Dietary Guidelines for Health and Climate, these efforts align with international calls to tackle food-related health challenges while reducing the environmental footprint of food.

The declaration from WHO underscores the importance of continued collaboration across sectors and nations to deliver solutions that foster both public health and sustainable growth.

Explore Food Nation’s five pathways to discover how Denmark is pioneering solutions and models of cooperation that address the global challenges of health and climate at the same time.

Source: WHO