Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) account for the largest share of deaths in most countries in the Region of the Americas. The unconditional probability of dying between the exact ages of 30 and 70 years from cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, or chronic respiratory diseases is a core impact indicator for monitoring premature, and largely preventable, mortality from NCDs in the Region and forms part of the regional Better Care for NCDs initiative. 

At the regional level, this probability declined substantially, from 18.0% in 2000 to 14.0% in 2021, reflecting sustained long-term progress in reducing premature mortality from NCDs. However, progress has slowed in recent years. Between the 2016 baseline of 14.5% and 2021, the estimated average annual percentage change in the Region was a 1.0% reduction — well below the 2.4% annual reduction required to achieve the 2025 target of 11.7%. The indicator was projected to reach 13.2% by 2025, remaining above the target set. Given the slow pace of progress, this indicator is considered to be stagnating, highlighting the need to accelerate action to reduce premature mortality from NCDs. 

Despite repeated calls to accelerate NCD-related policies and interventions, progress has been constrained by several factors. Most notably, disruptions to essential health services during the COVID-19 pandemic adversely affected the prevention, early detection, and management of NCDs, slowing recent gains. In addition, persistent structural and health system challenges limit the pace of improvement. While meaningful advances have been observed in areas such as tobacco control, nutrition policies, cardiovascular disease management, and hypertension control, substantially greater efforts are needed to address diabetes, obesity, and insufficient physical activity, which remain major drivers of premature NCD mortality in the Region. 

Against this backdrop, PAHO aims to provide leadership and a strong evidence base to support action on the surveillance, prevention, and control of NCDs. This indicator will continue to be monitored under the PAHO Strategic Plan 2026–2031; achieving it will require renewed and urgent action to strengthen policies, programs, and health system responses aimed at preventing and managing NCDs across the life course.