Building Global Consensus on Young Adults with Chronic Conditions and NCDs

Young adults with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and chronic conditions represent a growing
but overlooked population in global health frameworks. With 59.5% of young adults reporting at
least one chronic condition in the U.S. alone, and percentages rising globally, young adults with
NCDs and chronic conditions face urgent challenges that current systems must address.

Despite comprising nearly 20% of the global population, young adults with chronic conditions and
NCDs – including Cancers, IBD, T1D, Sickle Cell, etc. – lack recognition as a distinct subgroup by
global regulatory bodies. Systems must acknowledge and address young adults as a distinct
subgroup, separate from pediatrics, adolescents, adults, and older adults.

Generation Patient, alongside global community partners, the Taiwan Young Patient Association,
Africa Sickle Cell Organization, and IBD Patient Support Foundation (India), will host the first side
event dedicated to building consensus around young adults with NCDs and chronic conditions. This
invite-only gathering will unite the voices of young adult patients with key decision-makers and
disease-specific organizations to drive systemic change in this area.

The objectives of this event include:
1. Begin the establishment of the first globally recognized definition of young adults with
NCDs and chronic conditions to be adopted by global healthcare organizations, governments,
and regulatory bodies.
2. Discuss the most pressing challenges facing this population, including poor mental
health outcomes, suboptimal socioeconomic wellbeing, clinical trial representation, and
considerations such as sexual and reproductive health and disability inclusion.
3. Discuss strategies to implement policy and systems change specific to young adults with
NCDs and chronic conditions.

The meeting will result in a published proceedings document to kick-start global action surrounding
young adults with NCDs and chronic conditions.