Health Policy Watch reports on a global dialogue hosted by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Bank in Washington DC. Countries shared strategies for financing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health. Philippine Health Secretary Ted Herbosa showcased how excise taxes on tobacco and alcohol boosted the nation’s health budget sixfold. The meeting, a precursor to the 2025 United Nations High-level Meeting on NCDs and mental health, sought to build consensus on effective financing strategies.
WHO Director for NCDs, Bente Mikkelsen highlighted the urgent need for hypertension diagnosis, while representatives from Egypt and Moldova discussed phased universal health care and integrating mental health into primary care. Devora Kestel, WHO Director of Mental Health and Substance Use, emphasized the necessity of targeted health system financing reforms for comprehensive mental health care. The dialogue underscored the importance of sustainable domestic financing, political will, and multi-sectoral collaboration to address these global health challenges.
