Description

The growing global burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), including mental health and neurological disorders, requires urgent action to strengthen health systems and bolster the global health workforce. The World Health Organization (WHO) projects a shortfall of 11.1 million health workers by 2030, predominantly in low- and lower-middle-income countries.

During the World Health Worker Week (1 - 7 April) and in the lead-up to the Fourth UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs and Mental Health (September 2025), NCD Alliance organised a webinar to promote actionable solutions for building a resilient, well-equipped, and sustainable global health workforce capable of addressing the needs of NCD prevention, management, and care.

Additionally, NCDA developed a report on the intersection of the health workforce and NCDs, which was launched during the webinar. The report builds on NCDA’s previous publication, Protecting Populations, Preserving Futures, and provides an overview of global developments, challenges and opportunities associated with optimising the health and care workforce to address NCDs. The updated report is built around a four-tier framework, arguing that a primary healthcare workforce must be Staffed, Skilled, Supported, and Sustainably Financed to accelerate the prevention and management of NCDs.

Recording is now available online: