Meaningful engagement is the respectful, dignified and equitable inclusion of individuals with lived experience in a range of processes and activities within an enabling environment where power is transferred to people; valuing lived experience as a form of expertise and applying it to improve health outcomes.

Individuals and communities with first-hand experience in living with or being affected by noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), and mental health and neurological conditions hold the key to designing effective, inclusive, equitable health interventions that leave no one behind. Their inclusion in decision-making processes through principles of respect, value and dignity is essential to achieving health for all.

Public health actors should develop equitable and contextual solutions to address the growing silent pandemic of NCDs, and mental health and neurological conditions. It is a crucial global health challenge which transcends borders, sectors, languages, ethnicities and political divides, endangering lives, livelihoods and global development.

Global Coordination Mechanism on the Prevention and Control of NCDs

• More information on the GCM
• gcmncd@who.int

Related WHO Initiatives

• Mental Health and Substance Use - Policy, Law, Rights
• Health equity for persons living with disability
• Amplifying the lived experience of people affected by cancer
• WHO Global Diabetes Compact
• WHO Global NCD Compact
• UHC 2030 Social Participation Technical Network