Acting Early on Non-Communicable Diseases 2026

Images: Adobe Stock, Unsplash + Disclaimer This document is published by the World Economic Forum as a contribution to a project, insight area or interaction. The findings, interpretations and conclusions expressed herein are a result of a collaborative process facilitated and endorsed by the World Economic Forum but whose results do not necessarily represent the views of the World Economic Forum, nor the entirety of its Members, Partners or other stakeholders. © 2026 World Economic Forum. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system.Contents Foreword Executive summary Introduction 1 The evolving burden of NCDs 1.1 Disease-specific patterns and trends 1.2 Risk factors and inequalities 2 The prevention and care continuum 2.1 Primary prevention: Addressing environmental, social and structural factors 2.2 Secondary prevention: Screening and early detection 2.3 Tertiary prevention: Referral and access to specialist care 2.4 Tertiary prevention: Treatment and disease management 3 Enablers of early action 3.1 Health system governance 3.2 Health system financing 3.3 Workforce capacity and development 3.4 Medicines and technologies 3.5 Environmental sustainability and climate adaptation Conclusion Appendix: PHSSR references Contributors Endnotes3 4 5 6 7 8 9 9 10 12 13 15 15 16 18 20 21 23 24 25 28 Acting Early on Non-Communicable Diseases: A Framework for Health System Transformation 2