For this report, in-depth consultations with policymakers, industry leaders and leading academics from G20 countries were conducted to uncover lessons learned, effective methodologies and innovation strategies – and the results inspire optimism.

Developing countries have reacted rapidly to NCD management challenges by increasing health service provision and strengthening medicine supplies in response to the multifaceted knock-on effects of COVID-19. The paper examines how, with thoughtful planning and careful implementation, some of these rapid responses can, and should, be made permanent to improve the equity, accessibility, quality, efficiency and resilience of health systems.

Examples of replicable responses include the many promising examples of people-centred integrated care models across the disease spectrum; innovative attempts to enable and mobilize community-level primary care for early screening and diagnosis; and smart integration with digital and technological advancements to increase health access and improve diagnosis and treatment.

There is still room for optimization, but we already see trailblazers identifying cost-effective and globally applicable NCD intervention and treatment pathways from which every country – no matter its income level – can and should benefit.