Our response to WHO’s NCDs ‘best buys’ discussion paper - June 2022

The World Health Organisation has published an initial discussion paper on the updated Appendix 3 of the Global NCD Action Plan 2013-2030, also known as ‘best buys’. The aim of the update is to reflect new scientific evidence on the cost-effectiveness of a wide range of NCD interventions, as well as new WHO recommendations. Civil society organisations were offered the chance to submit any comments or recommendations they might have on the discussion paper.

In our response we welcome the variety and scope of policy recommendations outlined in the Unhealthy Diets section of the paper. It is encouraging to see a specific intervention aimed at supporting breastfeeding as this is often an area that is overlooked in discussions around healthy diets and weight. However, we recommend that other key areas across the life course are given similar attention, such as free school meals for children and adolescents, and specific dietary and activity support for older people.

We also suggest the paper includes an intervention that solely targets advertising of HFSS foods towards children. This is not explicitly mentioned in the current list and it is a crucial area for which WHO has previously published specific recommendations, and we feel these should be made clearer.

The consultation closes on the 26^th of June 2022.