HelpAge Global Network Response - Zero Draft Political declaration of the fourth HLM on NCDs and mental health

We welcome the Zero Draft’s focus on leadership, equity, and integrated, people-centred care. We are particularly encouraged by the inclusion of older people, long-term care, and the life-course approach.

However, we remain concerned by the continued use of ageist and discriminatory language, and by the lack of meaningful commitments in several key areas:

• Healthy Ageing: The disproportionate burden of NCDs on older people is insufficiently addressed.
• Intersectionality: The draft overlooks the intersection of NCDs with ageing, disability, and gender.
• Continuum of Care: There is a need for a rights-based, inclusive health and care system that delivers the full continuum of care—from prevention to palliative and end-of-life support.
• Data and Accountability: Strengthened, disaggregated data systems that include older people are essential to ensure their visibility in evidence and accountability frameworks.
• Elimination of Discriminatory Language:  Terms such as “premature mortality” perpetuate ageism and discrimination. They must be removed to align the Declaration with the principles of equity and a rights-based approach to health for all.

We urge Member States to build on previous global commitments and ensure that the final Political Declaration explicitly upholds the rights, needs, and dignity of older people in all aspects of the NCD and mental health response. Read the full text here