The importance of a strong NCD Political Declaration

It has been seven years since the last UN High-level Meeting on non-communicable diseases, and it is looking likely to be another six years before the next. The Political Declaration that will be approved at this September’s High-level Meeting is currently being negotiated, which will set the ambition and trajectory for global progress on NCDs to the end of the Sustainable Development Goals horizon in 2030 and beyond.

In these challenging economic and political times, surely – surely! – we can all act on the knowledge that health is essential for development in every country of the world? But no: the most recent draft of the Political Declaration suggests that agreement on this – at least as demonstrated by commitments – remains elusive. To pick an absolutely core example, under threat is strong language on the use of effective ‘health taxes’ on unhealthy products (tobacco, alcohol and sugar-sweetened drinks).

This makes no sense to me.

‘Domestic resource mobilisation’ (a clunky term, but such an important one) is more vital than ever, as overseas development assistance dwindles seemingly every day. So why would action not be prioritised on fiscal measures at national level? – health taxes simultaneously reduce consumption of unhealthy products, improve health and bring money into government coffers. Unfortunately, all too often the answer is simple: industry lobbying. It is clear from a variety of sources that the food and alcohol industries have been holding meetings with governments and with country missions at the UN in New York, undoubtedly slowing what had felt like a powerful groundswell towards health taxes. I find myself almost in tears with frustration at what could be achieved but may be brushed aside.

This is a crucial moment for population health: backtracking on strong calls for fiscal measures in the Political Declaration is a sign of government weakness in the face of industry pressure. It’s not about pondering whether this is a good idea: we know that it is! It’s time for governments everywhere in the world not only to give vague thought about such taxes in the abstract but actually to implement them – and (as a minimum) on tobacco, alcohol and sugary drinks.

And that’s just the start. I could go on. There is so much that can be done.

The Political Declaration is such an important opportunity: it must not be gutted of its core aspects at the 11^th hour.

Lives of our loved ones depend on it.