The hidden inequalities behind noncommunicable diseases: from evidence to action

Overview

This advocacy brief summarizes the findings of the World Health Organization report State of inequality: noncommunicable diseases and their risk factors, highlighting systematic inequalities in exposure to risk factors, access to health services and health outcomes. Drawing on a comprehensive assessment of within-country inequalities, it examines patterns across population groups defined by age, sex, economic status, education, employment, place of residence, disability and migration status. The findings show how social and economic disadvantage can increase exposure to noncommunicable disease (NCD) risk factors, including tobacco use, unhealthy diets and air pollution, while limiting access to prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

The brief translates these findings into three priorities for action: scaling up proven interventions that address NCD inequalities, using disaggregated data to target policies and resources towards populations with the greatest needs, and routinely measuring inequalities to monitor progress. It emphasizes the importance of integrating equity into national NCD policies and programmes to reduce avoidable disparities and ensure that prevention and care services reach underserved populations.