Global leaders renew commitments on NCDs and mental health
At the September 2025 United Nations General Assembly in New York, world leaders also came together to address the growing burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health. The special Fourth High-Level Meeting on the Prevention and Control of NCDs and the Promotion of Mental Health and Wellbeing concluded on 25 September with the adoption of a Political Declaration to accelerate progress towards reducing premature mortality from NCDs by one third by 2030. Discussions centred on strengthening primary health systems, tackling risk factors such as tobacco use and air pollution, addressing social determinants of health, and securing sustainable financing.
Strong words, but hearing care left behind
The Declaration reaffirmed people-centred health systems and sustainable financing as global priorities. These are important agreements, but the final agreement backtracks on sensory health. Earlier drafts had included references to disabilities such as deafness, but these did not survive into the final text. The absence of concrete commitments to integrate hearing care is a missed opportunity in light of recent developments within the UN system itself.
A contrast with the World Health Assembly
In May 2025, the World Health Assembly – the governing body of WHO, which is a UN specialized health agency – adopted a landmark resolution on integrated sensory health. It urged governments to integrate hearing and vision care into universal health coverage, scale up early screening, rehabilitation and prevention, and ensure access to assistive technologies such as hearing aids. It also called for stronger health workforce training and policies to address noise exposure, ototoxic medicines, and other risk factors.
For the hearing community, this was a landmark decision. It was the first time WHO Member States collectively recognized that hearing health, alongside vision, must be integrated into primary health care and national NCD strategies. The resolution established a precedent and a clear signal that hearing is a public health priority.
A missed opportunity for UNGA
That makes its absence at the UN General Assembly even more concerning. By not building on the momentum of the WHA resolution, the UNGA Political Declaration overlooks a chance to align global political will with technical consensus. In practical terms, this disconnect risks leaving countries without high-level political impetus to translate WHO guidance into national action plans. It represents a missed opportunity to give hearing care the visibility it deserves in the world’s most prominent political forum.
Conclusion
Hearing loss is not an isolated condition. It frequently co-exists with chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular conditions and is closely linked to depression, cognitive decline, and social isolation. By neglecting to incorporate hearing care into the NCD and mental health agenda, the United Nations risks overlooking a determinant of well-being that affects hundreds of millions globally. For the millions living with hearing loss, and for the industry dedicated to innovating and supporting them, this is a powerful reminder that advocacy must continue until hearing is fully recognized as a cornerstone of global health policy.
