Noncommunicable diseases and injuries now account for almost half of deaths in low income countries. Many of these deaths are due to treatable conditions, especially in children and young adults. In recent years, NCDs and injuries in the developing world have received increasing international attention but the very poorest populations have often been ignored.
NCD Synergies has committed to supporting governments, researchers, and implementers to better understand the NCD burden in poor and remote populations and expand treatment across all conditions to those who need it most. Working together, it is possible to effectively address NCDs and injuries among the poorest billion.
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- Disease Burden and Risk Factors — NCDs and injuries in low income countries do not always mirror the risk factors and disease burden seen in wealthier populations. In settings of extreme poverty, most NCDs cannot be prevented by healthier eating, exercise, or reducing tobacco and alcohol use. Understanding the NCD burden specific to the poorest populations is critical in these settings.
- Treating NCDs and Injuries — Ministries of health must respond to an extensive list of NCDs, not limited to heart disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancers. Experts, resources, and integrated models of care to treat all noncommunicable diseases and injuries should be part of the solution.
- People Living with NCDs and Injuries – The lived experiences of people and communities dealing with NCDs in settings of extreme poverty should remain at the forefront of our efforts to address NCDs and injuries in low income countries. We must improve patient support efforts to include the needs of poor, vulnerable, and remote populations living with NCDs.