26/10/2026
The Rising Burden of Non-Communicable Diseases: Diabetes, Heart Disease, and Cancer.
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are now the leading cause of death worldwide. Diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and cancer take millions of lives every year, affecting individuals, families, and health systems. Unlike infectious diseases, NCDs are not passed from person to person. They develop over time and are shaped by lifestyle, environment, genetics, and, importantly, by access to healthcare.
NCDs by the Numbers
Global deaths: According to WHO (fact sheet updated 25 September 2025), NCDs killed at least 43 million people in 2021, equal to 75% of all non-pandemic-related deaths. Cardiovascular diseases caused at least 19 million of these deaths, cancers about 10 million, chronic respiratory diseases about 4 million, and diabetes over 2 million (including kidney disease deaths caused by diabetes). These four groups account for 80% of all premature NCD deaths.
Hypertension: WHO's Global Report on Hypertension 2025 estimates that 1.4 billion people aged 30–79 were living with hypertension in 2024, yet fewer than one in five had it under control.
Diabetes: The IDF Diabetes Atlas (11th edition, 2025) estimates 589 million adults, about 1 in 9, were living with diabetes in 2024, rising to 853 million by 2050. An estimated 43% (252 million) are undiagnosed, and about 81% of adults with diabetes live in low- and middle-income countries.
Cancer: WHO's Global Status Report on Cancer 2026 estimates 20.6 million new cases and close to 10 million deaths a year, making cancer the second leading cause of death after cardiovascular disease. Based on population growth and ageing alone, cases could reach about 34 million a year by 2050 (a 67% increase), according to GLOBOCAN 2024 estimates.
The global target: SDG target 3.4 calls for a one-third reduction in premature deaths from NCDs by 2030 through prevention and treatment, and the promotion of mental health and well-being.
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