Founder and Executive Director
Dr Santosh Jha
A physician and global medical affairs leader whose experience across clinical care and healthcare systems shaped the vision behind WNCDAF.
Read more →Noncommunicable diseases
3 in 4
lives lost
Noncommunicable diseases, led by heart disease, cancer, diabetes and chronic lung disease, cause 3 in 4 deaths worldwide. Most of them can be prevented, delayed or better managed with the advances we already have.
Why we existOur commitment
No life
untouched
The benefits of healthcare progress belong to every person living with, or at risk of, a noncommunicable disease. Our work is measured by how far those benefits reach, whatever a person's geography or circumstances.
Our vision and missionWorld NCD Action Forum
From advances
to action
A not-for-profit, independent global forum driving measurable progress on noncommunicable diseases across metabolic health, oncology and immunization.
Partner with usOur first stream
Metabolic health.
Where we begin.
Diabetes, obesity, metabolic liver disease and the wider cardiometabolic continuum carry the largest NCD burden in the world, and one of the widest gaps between what treatment can achieve and what patients receive. Our Metabolic Health Stream is where our work starts.
Explore Metabolic HealthThe World NCD Action Forum is a not-for-profit, independent global platform working to ensure that advances in healthcare reach the people who need them.
Noncommunicable diseases are the leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Treatments, technologies and models of care are advancing rapidly. Yet for millions of people those advances remain out of reach, delayed by cost, geography, policy or the capacity of the health system around them.
WNCDAF exists to close that distance. We bring together governments, scientific societies, healthcare professionals, industry, researchers, patient communities and civil society, and we hold the work to a single standard: measurable action.
Our strategic architecture
The WNCDAF strategy house.
One integrated framework connecting purpose, priorities, action and accountability.
Our purpose
To unite global stakeholders to accelerate equitable action on noncommunicable diseases, so that no life is untouched by the benefits of healthcare progress.
Our vision
A world where every life benefits from healthcare progress and the burden of NCDs is conquered.
Our mission
To convene, catalyse and drive equitable action across the NCD ecosystem, bringing together governments, scientific societies, healthcare professionals, industry, researchers, patient communities and civil society to ensure that progress in healthcare becomes progress in every person's life.
Strategic pillars
Prevention and Early Detection
Are the right people being identified in time?
Finding those not yet diagnosed and preventing progression.
Access and Affordability
Can people obtain and afford what exists?
Closing the distance between an approved advance and the patient who needs it.
Implementation and Integrated Care
Do systems actually deliver it?
Care organised around the patient rather than around a single condition.
Capability and Leadership
Do practitioners and leaders have what they need?
Building the knowledge, skills and leadership that NCD care depends on.
How we work
- AdvancesNew therapies, technologies and care models
- AccessApproval, affordability and availability
- AdoptionEducation, engagement and system integration
- ImpactBetter outcomes and reduced disparities
Focus areas
Metabolic Health
- Diabetes and obesity
- Metabolic liver disease, MASLD and MASH
- Cardiometabolic continuum, including cardiovascular and chronic kidney disease
Oncology
- Earlier diagnosis and cancer prevention
- Equitable access to cancer care
- Care pathways and continuity
Immunization
- Protecting people living with NCDs
- Equitable access to immunization
- Integration into routine NCD care
Enablers
- Strategic PartnershipsOrganisations whose strengths complement our own.
- Global and Regional NetworksExpertise connected across countries and health systems.
- Data, Digital and AI FluencyData and digital tools to find gaps and track progress.
- Patient and Community EngagementLived experience shaping every priority.
- Sustainable FundingDiversified, transparent support that protects independence.
Our values
- Equity
- Integrity
- Inclusion
- Collaboration
- Action
- Impact
Our values
One connected philosophy.
Six values in a deliberate sequence. Each strengthens the next, and Impact returns us to Equity.
- EquityOur PurposeWe begin with those who need us most.
- IntegrityOur FoundationWe do what is right, always.
- InclusionOur Commitment to Every VoiceWe ensure those affected have a voice.
- CollaborationOur Collective StrengthWe achieve more together.
- ActionOur ResponsibilityWe turn commitments into progress.
- ImpactOur Measure of SuccessWe measure the difference we make.
The people behind WNCDAF
Founder and Executive Director.
Our work
Our Three Streams.
Three priority areas, one shared commitment to measurable progress.
Did you know1 in 9adults worldwide live with diabetesIDF Diabetes Atlas, 11th edition (2025)
Did you know4 in 10adults with diabetes do not know they have itIDF Diabetes Atlas, 11th edition (2025)
Did you know853 millionadults are expected to live with diabetes by 2050IDF Diabetes Atlas, 11th edition (2025)
Metabolic Health
Diabetes, obesity, metabolic liver disease, and the wider cardiometabolic continuum.
Read more →
Did you know20 millionnew cancer cases were diagnosed in a single yearIARC GLOBOCAN (2022)
Did you know9.7 millionpeople died from cancer in a single yearIARC GLOBOCAN (2022)
Did you knowMore than 1 in 3cancer cases are linked to risks that can be changedWHO and IARC analysis, Nature Medicine
Oncology
Equitable access to cancer prevention, early diagnosis, treatment and continuity of care.
Read more →
Did you know3.5–5 milliondeaths are prevented by vaccines every yearWorld Health Organization
Did you knowOver 95%of cervical cancers are caused by HPV, which vaccination can largely preventWorld Health Organization
Did you know6×higher risk of heart attack in the week after fluKwong et al., New England Journal of Medicine (2018)
Immunization
Protecting people living with NCDs and integrating immunization into routine care.
Read more →
Convening for impact
Upcoming Events.
WNCDAF convenes roundtables, congress sessions and scientific meetings across its three streams.
Coming soon
Our first roundtables, congress sessions and scientific meetings will be announced here.
Evidence and perspective
News & Insights.
Expert commentary, congress highlights, policy perspectives and interviews from across the NCD ecosystem.
Read morePartner With Us.
We collaborate with governments, scientific societies, academic institutions, patient communities, industry and civil society to turn healthcare advances into measurable progress.
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