Stowelink Foundation joined global and regional health leaders at the Seventy-fifth Session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa (RC75) to champion stronger, coordinated action on obesity and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) across the continent. Representing both the World Obesity Federation and Stowelink Foundation, Ogweno Stephen, alongside Brenda Chitindi, delivered a powerful call for African governments to prioritize obesity prevention, treatment, and management as an integral part of Primary Health Care (PHC) systems.

The high-level meeting, held from 25–27 August 2025 in Lusaka, brought together Ministers of Health, policymakers, WHO leadership, and development partners to discuss Africa’s most pressing health challenges, including NCDs, malnutrition, and the region’s journey toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

Integrating Obesity into Primary Health Care

During discussions under Agenda Item 16.9, the Stowelink Foundation team emphasized that addressing obesity is essential to advancing Africa’s health and development agenda.
“Obesity is a chronic disease that requires a multisectoral response,” noted Ogweno Stephen, highlighting the double dividend of obesity prevention—improved population health and long-term economic resilience.

The Foundation further advocated for programs that meaningfully engage people living with obesity (PLWO) in designing inclusive, stigma-free health services. Across several African countries, adult obesity rates now exceed 30%, signaling an urgent need for integrated, community-based responses.

Addressing the Double Burden of Malnutrition

Under Agenda Item A16, Brenda Chitindi spotlighted Africa’s double burden of malnutrition, where undernutrition and obesity coexist within communities. She called for the rapid implementation of WHO-recommended measures such as front-of-pack nutrition labeling, taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages, and school-based nutrition education.

The Foundation’s advocacy aligns with WHO’s Acceleration Plan to Stop Obesity, reinforcing that combating obesity is both a public health and economic imperative for the continent.

Building Momentum for Global Action

This engagement follows Stowelink Foundation’s growing role in international NCD advocacy platforms, including the UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs and Mental Health held in New York earlier in 2025. Through such global engagements, Stowelink continues to bridge local experience with global policy, ensuring African perspectives and youth-led innovation shape the international NCD agenda.

At the heart of Stowelink’s work is the belief that youth-driven health advocacy, community engagement, and digital education can transform the future of NCD prevention in Africa. As preparations begin for the 2026 WHO Africa Regional Committee in Ethiopia, Stowelink Foundation remains committed to advancing obesity prevention, health equity, and inclusive care systems across the continent.