04/25/2025 | News release | Distributed by Public on 04/25/2025 02:13
Chronic diseases are on the rise. Vaccines can help reduce the impact on people, health systems and society. This year's UN High-level Meeting on NCDs and Mental Health provides an opportunity to maximise vaccine benefits.
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes, are the leading cause of ill health and death worldwide. Rising costs associated with long-term chronic diseases and ageing populations place mounting pressure on healthcare systems.
While vaccines are primarily used to prevent infectious diseases, they also have a critical role to play in reducing the burden of chronic conditions. This year, the UN General Assembly is set to agree on global efforts to tackle NCDs. This is an important opportunity to refocus attention on delivering cost-effective interventions to prevent, treat and control NCDs - including the role that vaccines can play.
While vaccines are primarily used to prevent infectious diseases, they also have a critical role to play in reducing the burden of chronic conditions.
Effective immunisation campaigns can reduce the impact of NCDs on people living with these conditions and help build resilient, prevention-first health systems:
Vaccines are also cost-effective. An analysis across 10 high and middle-income countries showed that comprehensive adult immunisation programmes can yield up to a 19 times return on their investment for society.
Immunisation programmes that include vaccine recommendations for people living with chronic conditions can help prevent avoidable illness, complications and potentially irreversible chronic disease progression. They will also ease pressures on health systems, reducing hospitalisations, long-term medical interventions and loss of productivity.
This blog was originally published by Media Planet for the "Global Health Resilience" campaign on 25 April 2025.