The rising burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is emerging as not only a healthcare challenge but also a major economic issue, with healthier populations increasingly critical to sustaining economic growth, according to Jörg Rupp, Head of Pharma International Areas, Roche.
Speaking at `Health Innovation: Media Dialogue 2026 at the Roche Global Headquarters, Rupp said around 3 billion people globally are living with a chronic disease, and the burden is expected to continue to increase,
“We need healthy and productive populations to drive the economic growth that will finance the healthcare systems of the future.’’ NCDs account for approximately 43 million deaths a year, or nearly 75 per cent of deaths worldwide. Cardiovascular diseases, cancer, neurological disorders and respiratory diseases are among the major disease areas contributing to the global burden.
“Current health systems were designed for a different era. They are mismatched to today’s NCD needs and must shift from acute to continuous care,’’ Rupp said.
Gaps in healthcare access and capacity compound the challenge. According to Rupp, two-thirds of diseases are either inadequately treated or not treated at all, while about half of the world’s population lacks access to essential health services. At the same time, the global population aged over 65 is projected to triple by 2050, putting further pressure on healthcare systems.
Highlighting the importance of innovation, Rupp said: “We have a once-in-a-generation chance to capture the full value of innovation at scale. The speed of progress represents hope for the future.’’
Today, more than 12,900 medicines are in development worldwide, and 75 per cent target NCDs such as cancer, diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and neurological diseases.
“We are gaining a deeper understanding of how genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors shape health and disease. To capture the value of innovation, we first need to shift our mindset towards healthcare,’’ he added.
The economic consequences are equally significant. Poor health can result in productivity losses of up to 15 per cent of GDP annually, while health investment can help protect the workforce, tax base and broader economic stability.
About one-third of economic growth in advanced economies results from improvements in health, with an expected economic return of $7 for every $1 invested in NCD prevention, Rupp said.
Healthcare innovation could also have a wider economic impact. Investment in healthcare innovation could save 60 million lives and add $12 trillion to global GDP by 2040. Healthcare innovation can help people stay in work longer, increase workforce participation, and improve productivity, he added.
“Roche is uniquely positioned to address patient and healthcare system needs across the patient journey with an objective of prevent, stop and cure,’’ the Roche official said.
Roche, which was founded in Basel in 1896, reported CHF 61.5 billion in Group sales in 2025 and invested CHF 12 billion in R&D during the year. Its medicines treated about 39 million people in 2025, while its diagnostics products were used in around 31 billion tests.
Published on September 25, 2026
