Confronting the Investment Gap in Non-Communicable Disease Treatment and Care

According to the World Health Organization, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are responsible for 40 million deaths globally every year. Yet the investment required to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 3.4 of reducing premature deaths from NCDs by one third by 2030 is lacking. In a June 2018 report, the WHO Independent High-Level Commission on NCDs called on the global community to develop a new economic paradigm for funding action on NCDs[1]. The report specifically encouraged the international community to increase financing and lending for the prevention and management of NCDs through bilateral and multilateral channels. It noted that while domestic sources should be the mainstay of NCD financing in most countries, “catalytic funding will be needed from bilateral and multi-lateral donors, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).”

Simultaneously, the global community has come together around the goal of Universal Health Coverage (UHC). SDG 3.8 sets the target for the global community to “achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all” by 2030.[2] According to the 2017 UHC Global Monitoring Report, at least half of the world’s population still does not have access to quality essential services to protect and promote health. Furthermore, 800 million people are spending at least 10% of their household budget on out-of-pocket health care expenses, and nearly 100 million people are being pushed into extreme poverty each year due to health care costs.[3]

UHC efforts are being advanced by governments around the world, but a key question will be how coverage for cancer and NCDs which require chronic and complex care will be integrated into national plans. Currently, most UHC plans only provide access to basic NCD and cancer diagnostics and limited treatment.[4] Advancing cancer and NCD coverage to include comprehensive care poses a significant financial challenge, particularly for LMICs.

In an effort to better understand these challenges, the City Cancer Challenge conducted a market assessment of the need for, and opportunity to advance, innovative financing solutions for cancer and NCD treatment and care in LMICs. In a new report, Confronting the Investment Gap in Non-Communicable Disease Treatment and Care: Financing Solutions for Low- and Middle-Income Countries , the City Cancer Challenge identifies major factors driving the gap and hindering investment, suggests potential solutions to increase the flow of new and sustainable financing to the sector, and provides recommendations for specific actions to be taken by the global community to increase financing for cancer and NCD treatment and care.

The report pinpoints the need for new approaches and partnerships to structure current health programs and priorities into investable opportunities that can attract new financing to cancer and NCD treatment. The City Cancer Challenge has responded to these findings by launching a City Health Financing Lab to bring financial and economic expertise to cities. By supporting cities to structure innovative financing solutions for their cancer priorities, the City Health Financing Lab has the opportunity to build a pipeline of sustainable healthcare investments in LMICs that can catalyze new investment and be case studies for global action.

This week at the World Cancer Congress in Kuala Lumpur, the City Health Financing Lab team will further explore innovative financing solutions for cancer care during a session on Bridging the Resource Gap: Attracting New Financing to Cancer Care in LMICs. A multi-sectoral panel of experts will highlight successful solutions showing positive results in Asia Pacific, such as a social impact bond targeting breast cancer in India and public-private partnerships integrating cancer coverage into national health insurance models.

Confronting the Investment Gap in Non-Communicable Disease Treatment and Care represents the first step in an ongoing effort by the City Cancer Challenge. By advancing our learning, supporting cities to access new and innovative financing solutions for their cancer priorities, and engaging all sectors in driving new investment in NCD treatment and care, the City Cancer Challenge is committed to tackling the cancer financing challenge and delivering practical, impactful solutions that achieve decisive and lasting impact for patients in cities around the world.