ForumCCNTs' and partners' response to Zero Draft of the Political Declaration on NCDs and Mental Health 2025

The Intersectoral Forum of Noncommunicable Conditions in Brazil (FórumCCNTs), in partnership with specialists and representatives from various partner institutions who jointly signed the document, submitted a technical letter to the Minister of Health, Dr. Alexandre Padilha. The letter requests that Brazil propose the inclusion of three strategic themes currently absent from the Zero Draft of the new UN Political Declaration on NCDs and Mental Health:

• Sleep disorders as a relevant risk factor for chronic health conditions; 
• Vaccination as a priority protective measure for people with CCNTs; 
• Social participation as a structuring principle for prevention and care policies.

The UN Political Declaration is an official international document, agreed upon by Heads of State and Government, which defines priority commitments for global public health. It guides national actions, investments, and policies, and is considered one of the most influential tools in the field of global health. The next version will be launched during the 4th High-Level Meeting of the UN General Assembly on CCNTs and Mental Health, scheduled for September 2025, in New York.

The FórumCCNTs' recommendations are based on scientific evidence and successful Brazilian experiences, such as the update of the Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Clinical Protocol and Therapeutic Guidelines (PCDT), which now recognizes obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) among the main risk factors for T2DM and cardiovascular diseases. This change, built with technical support from CONITEC and active contribution from FórumCCNTs, represents an evidence-based public policy that can serve as an example for other countries.

FórumCCNTs also highlights the importance of annual vaccination, especially against influenza and COVID-19, as a vital tool to reduce hospitalizations and deaths in people with CCNTs — a gap not yet addressed in the Zero Draft. Furthermore, it reiterates Brazil's leadership role in social participation, recalling that the country was one of the proponents of the resolution on the topic at the 77th World Health Assembly, although the current UN text omits explicit mention of this essential principle for ensuring inclusive, legitimate, and effective policies.