Eli Lilly & UNICEF Launch US$50m Chronic Disease Programme
To combat the rapid rise of chronic illnesses among young populations, Eli Lilly and Company and UNICEF USA have announced a six-year partnership.
This collaboration aims to enhance the prevention and treatment of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) for young people, intending to reach more than 30 million children and caregivers.
The global initiative will span 21 low- and middle-income nations.
Funding and strategy
To commemorate its 150th anniversary, Lilly is committing US$50m to UNICEF USA.
This funding will support efforts to reinforce primary healthcare structures to better identify, prevent and treat NCDs like diabetes, respiratory illness, sickle cell disease and congenital heart disease in children and adolescents.
The project will also focus on care, prevention and support for young people living with obesity, reducing long-term health risks for families and communities.
UNICEF will assist governments to integrate these practices into routine health services.
This will increase access to high-quality treatment within local communities, train healthcare staff and enhance early diagnostic procedures alongside long-term management.
This strategy is designed to help nations provide sustainable, coordinated care closer to home, supporting children throughout their lives.
The growing burden of chronic illness
Running from 2026 until 2032, this commitment scales up a UNICEF framework that has transitioned from initial pilot programmes into a lasting, multi-country strategy integrated into national health networks.
This expansion is critical as NCDs are increasing swiftly among youth.
Low- and middle-income nations face the heaviest burden, suffering 82% of premature deaths tied to these chronic conditions due to fragile health systems, unsafe environments and limited access to nutritious food.
Kitty van der Heijden, Deputy Executive Director, Partnerships, UNICEF, says: "Millions of children are deprived of the building blocks necessary for lifelong health due to Non-communicable disease risk factors established early in life.
"Our collaboration with Lilly is leading the way to ensure children get a healthy future in life and demonstrates the impact of the private sector to drive results at scale."
Without early interventions, NCDs lead to lifelong health challenges, yet access to early detection and long-term care remains restricted.
Patrik Jonsson, Executive Vice President and President of Lilly International, says: "Every child, everywhere, deserves a healthy future. That begins with working to strengthen healthcare systems in resource-limited settings to halt the rise of NCDs.
"Throughout our 150-year history, we've stayed focused on the disease areas that could have the biggest impact on humanity, including diabetes and our impact extends beyond our medicines.
“Through our collaboration with UNICEF, we aim to improve global health through NCD prevention and care, helping change the health trajectory for millions of children and adolescents from their earliest years."
Lilly’s existing targets
This pledge corresponds with Lilly's 30x30 goal of improving access to high-quality healthcare for 30 million individuals in resource-poor areas annually by 2030.
Having surpassed this milestone five years early in 2025, Lilly aims to sustain that drive through this project.
Since 2022, prior assistance from Lilly to UNICEF USA has already enabled the organisation to reach approximately 16 million young individuals and caregivers.
This previous work delivered critical health services, heightened NCD awareness and fortified medical systems in areas with limited resources.
Lilly uses biotechnology, chemistry and genetic medicine to tackle major global health challenges, focusing on making medicines affordable and accessible while advancing treatments for diabetes, obesity, Alzheimer's disease, immune disorders and cancer.
