Strategies to support non-communicable disease interventions

Abstract

In spite of being the leading cause of death in the world, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancers and chronic respiratory diseases receive a small share of global health funding. Developing nations, with fledgling health systems reliant on external funding, are ill-equipped to face the rapid onslaught of NCDs alongside communicable diseases like HIV, Malaria and Tuberculosis. Innovative, practical and sustainable solutions that encompass policy, organisational, technological and business-oriented interventions are needed to address current inefficiencies and tackle the growing incidence of NCDs. This article examines the current support for NCD prevention and treatment programs in low and middle income countries, and profiles strategies to employ in the fight against NCDs. With supporting data from third-party health sector reports, international health metrics tracking, government and organisation reports, journal articles, news articles and first-hand experiences, this article examines the conventional models of support and benefits of private sector solutions.