As world leaders gather in New York this week for the UN High-Level Meeting on Non-Communicable Diseases and Mental Health, they’re confronting a stark reality: non-communicable diseases (NCDs) kill more people than any other cause globally yet receive only a fraction of health funding. But what if the solution isn’t just more money—what if it’s smarter systems?
A US$1 breakthrough that shows what’s possible
One example: We recently negotiated the world’s lowest price for rapid sickle cell diagnostic tests—at US$1. But this isn’t just a pricing victory—it’s part of a systematic approach that’s transforming healthcare across low- and middle-income countries. When we tackle one barrier like diagnostic costs, we simultaneously address others: training health workers, improving supply chains, and bringing care closer to communities.
The evidence: systems solutions drive results
CHAI’s approach addresses interconnected barriers simultaneously—and the results show it works:
In Kenya: First Type 1 diabetes guidelines enabled 1,133 children to receive life-saving treatment for the first time.
In Ethiopia: Systematic improvements led to 56 percent increase in access to treatment and threefold increase in insulin procurement at pilot sites.
In Cambodia: Integrated care models drove a 303 percent increase in diabetes visits.
These aren’t just statistics—they represent children who can now go to school instead of fighting for their lives, and communities where chronic disease management is finally within reach.
The moment of truth
With Africa alone facing a US$12 billion health funding shortfall and three-quarters of NCD deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries, this week’s UN meeting represents an opportunity to highlight what is possible when we scale proven solutions.
When health systems work for NCDs, they work for everyone. The evidence shows systematic approaches work. The question is whether we’ll have the political will to act.
Want the full story? Download our impact brief showing exactly how systematic health system strengthening is transforming NCD care across 14+ countries.
