Chronic noncommunicable diseases and COVID-19: How they both interact

This white paper will summarize the key topics, outcomes, and recommendations from the Canada-India Healthcare Summit 2021 COVID-19 Pandemic Response and Initiatives sessions held on May 20–21, 2021. In particular, the authors have focused their attention on topics on the effect of COVID-19 on noncommunicable diseases, depression, research on substance abuse, and post COVID-19 pain management. The authors have developed a better understanding of these conditions' interplay with COVID-19 infection. The paper also deals with important topics around the effects of NCD on COVID-19 and vice versa, as well as key considerations around research and development, innovation, policy, and finally, summarizes the ways forward in which Canada and India could collaborate strategically. We also include key points raised during the summit.