Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), principally cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases, are the leading causes of death and disability in the Western Pacific Region. They are responsible for 80% of all deaths and 50% of premature deaths in low- and middle-income countries. NCD-related morbidity and mortality will continue to rise if urgent measures are not taken.

The WHO Western Pacific Region NCD and health promotion programme supports Member States to implement global and regional actions plans to prevent and control NCDs by:

• Raising the priority accorded to NCDs through international cooperation and advocacy;
• Strengthening national capacity to accelerate country responses;
• Reducing modifiable risk factors through the creation of health-promoting environments;
• Strengthening health systems to address prevention and control of NCDs through people-centred primary health care and universal health coverage (UHC);
• Promoting national capacity for high-quality research and development; and
• Monitoring trends, determinants and progress to achieve global, regional and national targets through evidence-based interventions.