Equity and integration: transforming lives and livelihoods through leadership and action on NCDs and the promotion of mental health and well-being — WHA78 Side Event

Conveners: Barbados, Ghana, Norway, Spain, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, NCD Alliance, United for Global Mental Health; World Health Organization
Role: WHO focal point for organisation; developed session structure, briefed and coordinated participants, prepared speaking notes, and acted as rapporteur
Date: 21 May 2025
Location: Palais des Nations, Geneva (World Health Assembly 78)
Info: Agenda

Juliette was WHO’s focal point in the organisation of this official side event to the World Health Assembly. She was involved in developing the session structure, briefing and coordinating participants, and preparing speaking notes. She also acted as rapporteur during the session. In addition, Juliette supported the coordination of WHO representation across a number of other side events to WHA.

This event aimed to pave the way and build momentum in the lead up to the 4th High-Level Meeting on NCDs. It brought together Member States, civil society and public health experts to shine a light on the high-level leadership and actions critical for an effective response to NCDs, and highlighted the pathfinding successes and challenges of WHO Member States following the 3rd High-Level Meeting, with a particular focus on the innovative approaches of Small Island Developing States in preventing and addressing NCDs and mental health.

Speakers from Barbados, Norway and Spain highlighted successful examples of country-level cooperation, alongside strong advocacy contributions from the NCD Alliance and United for Global Mental Health. The discussions also underscored persistent challenges — from the commercial determinants of health and climate-related pressures to accountability gaps and the need for stronger primary care integration — while emphasising the availability of proven, evidence-informed policy responses.

The event also featured the launch of a WHO technical paper co-authored by Juliette: Economic and commercial determinants of health in small island developing states: NCDs, mental health conditions, injuries and violence.

Member State participants.

His Excellency Dr Jerome Walcott, Minister of Health and Wellness of Barbados.
Belén González Callado, Commissioner for Mental Health in Spain.
Dr Cathrine Marie Lofthus, Secretary-General of Norway’s Ministry of Health and Care Services.

Civil Society participants.

Katie Dain, CEO of the NCD Alliance.
Sarah Kline, CEO of United for Global Mental Health.
Dr Carlos Rodriguez-Galindo of St. Jude Global.

WHO participants.

Dr Hanan Balkhy, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean.
Professor Jérôme Salomon, WHO Assistant Director-General for Universal Health Coverage.
Dr Ailan Li, WHO Assistant Director-General, Universal Health Coverage, Healthier Populations.
Dr Guy Fones, Director of the WHO NCD Department.

Coverage.