The Future of NCDs in the Evolving Global Health Landscape

Recommendations for NCD Care in Low- and Middle-Income Country Settings

Low- and middle-income countries are increasingly facing the dual burden of infectious and chronic diseases, yet the resources and health systems remain limited and heavily focused on infectious disease and maternal child health (MCH). Gains in MCH and other primary healthcare have started to increase lifespans and this means people live long enough to face NCDs such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes and respiratory diseases. At the same time, rapid urbanization has led to changing lifestyles and diets which are accelerating the rise in NCDs. Governments, donors, and implementers have to make tough choices when addressing prevention and management of chronic diseases.

The Future of NCDs in the Evolving Global Health Landscape dinner discussion, held on the margins of the 70th World Health Assembly brought together 40 participants – policymakers, implementers, academics and others to identify specific actions to be taken by governments and the global health community to drive real movement in NCD care and scale effective interventions.