Statement to the 152nd Executive Board - ‘Best buys’

World Obesity Federation and International Diabetes Federation welcome the updated Appendix 3 of the Global NCD Action Plan, for its particular contribution to the 2023‒2030 road map and its new acceleration plan to support Member States implement recommendations for the prevention and management of obesity, thus strengthening the investment case for many of these recommendations.

We welcome the expansion of cost-effectiveness analyses to new interventions, however we note the absence of obesity-oriented actions aimed at addressing comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes. People with obesity have a risk of developing type 2 diabetes that is seven times higher than those with healthy weight. The WHO Global Diabetes Compact aims to integrate the prevention of type 2 diabetes into primary health care, with a particular focus on reducing obesity among young people. We strongly urge that weight management, including treatment, be included in the menu of policy options in future cost-effectiveness reviews.

We finally urge WHO for periodic and inclusive update mechanisms for Appendix 3, protected against undue influence from health-harming industries. And we support fellow health organisations requesting the term ‘best buys’ be retained as a well-recognised brand, and easily understood signal to policymakers.