Health for Development
RESOURCES INITIATIVES ABOUT US INVESTMENT CASES PUBLICATIONS
FEATURED
BMJ Publication on impact of 13 NCD investment cases
UNDP, WHO, UNIATF and RTI International in partnership with country governments, civil society and academia, published a manuscript in BMJ Global Health. It explores the impact of investment cases for the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in 13 countries. Researchers found that while no country implemented all the investment case recommendations, they made key actions to drive policy change to prevent and control NCDs, encompassing three main areas: governance; financing, and health service access and delivery. These actions lead to strong coordination in governments, advocacy for NCD prevention and control and availability of NCD data. Investment cases help governments prioritize investment in NCDs and bridge the divide between health and finance ministries.
INITIATIVES
Every year lives are lost to preventable and treatable diseases. This toll on health puts a broader burden on development, intersecting with issues like poverty, inequalities and economic crises, hindering the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Acknowledging the complex world we live in, UNDP established the Strategic Plan 2022-2025 to support countries navigate the changing context, overcome dynamic challenges through strategic solutions and advance sustainable development.
Guided by the Strategic Plan, UNDP's HIV and Health Strategy 2022-2025 provides a roadmap for how UNDP's work on HIV and health is supporting countries to accelerate sustainable development to achieve the 2030 Agenda.
In line with the Strategic Plan and Strategy, UNDP health for development initiatives focus on assisting countries in catalyzing whole-of-government and whole-of-society approaches to address the social, environmental and economic aspects that shape people’s mental and physical health. Initiatives aim to provide technical assistance in advancing advocacy, financing, multisectoral coordination and planning, legislative and policy reform, as well as global, regional and south-south cooperation.
UNDP DATA FUTURES EXCHANGE
Since 2015, UNDP, WHO and partners have collaborated with national governments in 54 countries to develop 75 national investment cases on health issues like NCD prevention and road safety - with the number of cases growing and the range of issues addressed expanding.
The UNDP Health and Development team paired up with colleagues at the UNDP Data Futures Exchange to display these investment cases and their data in an interactive manner. Compare the data across countries, explore country data in detail and download full investment case reports.
HEALTH INVESTMENT CASES DRIVE ACTION
The UNDP- and WHO-supported investment cases around the world are being used by policy makers in countries to as an accelerator of sustainable development to drive policy change.
- The Philippines launched the 2024-2028 Philippine Council for Mental Health Strategic Framework in 2023, following the launch of the Mental Health Investment Case in 2021. Mental health services are already scaled up in the Philippines, now with 362 access sites across the country.
- Following the launch of the Investment Case for Tobacco Control, Georgia passed a comprehensive tobacco control law.
- In line with recommendations of the Investment Case for Prevention and Control of NCDs, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia launched the Healthy Food Strategy in 2018.
- Ghana increased excise taxes on tobacco, alcohol and sugar-sweetened beverages in the 2023 Excise Bill, aligning with recommendations of the Investment Case for Tobacco Control.
RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS
UPDATES
.
