As we work towards universal health coverage and achieving the SDG agenda, we all must do a better job of elevating and operationalizing our dialogues on NCDs. To meet the SDGs, development – health, economic, social – requires action on NCDs. And to foment any action, whether it is focusing on prevention programs that reduce risk factors, supporting the development of national investment frameworks for NCDs, or building NCD capacity in workforce and health systems, financial investment and resources are critical. Over the past six years, I’ve seen that financing– and the right partnerships – are key enablers and often the ‘plumbing’ in a health system.  Creating more room for health in the fiscal space and public sector is already challenging enough, and financing for NCDs within a competitive environment comes with a new set of obstacles. In addition, with development assistance and funding for global health flatlining, we must also look to more non-traditional actors, including the private sector, and explore new ways of financing, especially due to the unique nature of NCDs: a multisectoral issue, often with a double-bottom line. 

HFI translates economic evidence and data into actionable, high-impact investment opportunities, together with partners who have an interest in closing the global NCD investment gap. We’re trying to better delineate and discern what type of financing is needed and in what context for the most impact, given the set of stakeholders engaged and with country needs at the core. We’ve just completed some work with the WHO HL Commission for NCDs on developing and drafting a business plan for a global catalytic fund for NCDs, the first time such an idea was elevated to the global level. Encouragingly, this work has made us aware of a noticeable shift in opinion and global action on this front. HFI aims to continue harnessing and accelerating this traction for NCD investment over the coming months. 

For such a ‘wicked problem’ like NCDs, HFI’s modus operandi is to be an agile knowledge broker, thinking creatively and a bit outside the box, while in parallel, supporting and strengthen existing systems and processes. We’re excited that HFI is continuing to grow, with 8 team members (meet our team below) who are working tirelessly towards its vision. They bring decades of experience in health economics and systems strengthening, management and organizational development, clinical medicine, communications and design across a diverse range of institutions such as Harvard, UCSF, NIH, World Bank, and Ministries of Health, and civil society and advocacy NGOs. 

Indeed, there’s a lot of work cut out for all of us in this field. But with partners, collaborators, and supporters joining us in this critical and timely endeavor, progress can be made.