Noncommunicable diseases (NCD) are the leading cause of death and disability in the Western Pacific Region.  This region, housing some of the most populous and densely populated countries with diverse geographical, political, socioeconomic, ethnic, linguistic, cultural and health disparities, accounts for a quarter of global NCD deaths. In 2019, the four major NCDs – cardiovascular disease, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes – claimed 12 million lives in the region.