In our ever-evolving world of healthcare, a crucial mission unfolds before us – one that demands unwavering commitment, collaboration, and a holistic approach. It is the mission to bridge the care gap for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), a challenge that transcends boundaries and requires a multifaceted response involving healthcare systems, governments, communities, and individuals alike[1]. The urgency of this endeavor arises from a startling reality: the mounting burden of NCDs worldwide. As these diseases relentlessly surge, they claim more lives and impose greater disability on communities across the globe. The need to address NCDs now has never been more pressing, as every moment delayed further deepens the healthcare crisis we face.

The impact of NCDs stretches far beyond individual health; it reverberates throughout our economies. These diseases not only inflate healthcare costs but also exact a hefty toll on productivity, threatening economic stability and growth. Furthermore, NCDs exacerbate existing health disparities, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations and perpetuating societal inequities. To bridge the care gap for NCDs is to take a pivotal step towards reducing these disparities and achieving equitable health outcomes for all.

As daunting as the challenge may seem, the prospect of success is within reach. Many NCDs are preventable, and with early detection and management, their impact can be significantly curtailed. Moreover, a groundswell of global awareness and advocacy has emerged, fostering research and funding to address NCDs. It is our shared responsibility to seize this moment and embark on a comprehensive approach that paves the way for healthier lives and communities.

Some strategies and initiatives aimed at addressing this care gap include:

1. Primary Healthcare Strengthening: Enhance primary healthcare services to provide early detection, diagnosis, and management of NCDs at the community level. This includes training primary care providers in NCD care.
2. Health Education and Awareness: Launch public health campaigns to increase awareness about NCD risk factors, prevention, and the importance of early diagnosis and treatment. Tailor these campaigns to address cultural and regional factors. Engage communities in NCD prevention and care, involving them in decision-making processes and tailoring interventions to local needs.
3. Access to Essential Medications: Ensure affordable and consistent access to essential NCD medications, including through generic drug availability and subsidy programs.
4. Patient Empowerment: Empower individuals with NCDs through education and self-management support. This includes providing resources such as educational materials and mobile apps to help patients monitor their conditions.
5. Lifestyle Interventions: Promote healthy lifestyles through community-based programs, focusing on diet, physical activity, and smoking cessation. Schools and workplaces can play a role in these initiatives.
6. Community Health Workers: Train and deploy Community Health Workers (CHWs) to educate communities, provide basic NCD care, and support adherence to treatment plans.
7. Government Policies: Advocate for and implement policies that reduce NCD risk factors, such as tobacco taxation, sugar-sweetened beverage regulations, and restrictions on unhealthy food marketing to children.
8. Advocacy and Awareness: Encourage civil society organizations and patient advocacy groups to raise awareness about NCD care gaps and advocate for policy change.
9. Global Partnerships: Collaborate with international organizations and NGOs to mobilize resources, share best practices, and implement NCD programs in low and middle-income countries.
10. Public-Private Partnerships: Collaborate with private sector organizations to promote workplace wellness programs and initiatives that support healthy lifestyles.
11. Health Insurance Coverage: Expand health insurance coverage to include NCD care, reducing the financial barriers to accessing treatment and care.

Bridging the care gap for NCDs requires a coordinated effort at the local, national, and global levels. It involves not only improving healthcare services but also addressing the social determinants of health that contribute to NCDs. A comprehensive approach can help reduce the burden of NCDs and improve the quality of life for affected individuals, their families, and communities.

Prevention and Healthy Lifestyles: The Path Forward

Prevention and adopting healthy lifestyles are crucial in reducing the incidence of NCDs. Here are some key steps individuals can take:

• Balanced Diet: Consume a variety of fruits and vegetables daily, choose whole grains over refined grains, limit saturated and trans-fats as well as added sugars and salts, and control portion sizes to prevent overeating.
• Physical Activity: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week, include strength training exercises, and find physical activities you enjoy to stay motivated.
• Smoking Cessation: Seek help to quit smoking, one of the most effective ways to reduce NCD risk.
• Moderate Alcohol Consumption: If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation, following recommended guidelines.
• Healthy Body Mass Index (BMI): Maintain a healthy BMI through gradual, sustainable weight loss if needed.
• Regular Health Screenings: Visit your healthcare provider regularly for health screenings such as blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar tests. Discuss your family history and NCD risk factors with your doctor. Follow recommended screening guidelines for cancer based on your age and gender.
• Vaccinations: Stay up-to-date with vaccinations, including those for Hepatitis B and HPV, which can reduce the risk of certain NCDs.
• Strong Support Network: Maintain a strong support network of friends and family, which can reduce stress and promote well-being.
• Limit Environmental Toxins: Limit exposure to environmental toxins and pollutants whenever possible.
• Stay Informed: Stay informed about NCD risk factors, symptoms, and prevention strategies.

Global Initiatives in the Fight Against NCDs

Several international organizations, such as the NCD Alliance and the World Health Organization (WHO), have been working tirelessly to address NCDs and bridge the care gap. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development recognizes NCDs as a major challenge for sustainable development. Heads of state and government committed to developing ambitious national responses to reduce premature mortality from NCDs through prevention and treatment (SDG 3.4) by 2030.

WHO plays a pivotal role in coordinating and promoting the global fight against NCDs and achieving Sustainable Development Goals target 3.4. The NCD Alliance (NCDA)[2] is a unique civil society network dedicated to a world where everyone can live a healthy and productive life, free from the preventable suffering, stigma, disability, and death caused by NCDs. NCDA is recognized as a global thought leader on NCD policy and practice, convening the civil society movement, partnering with governments and UN agencies, and advocating for people at risk of or living with NCDs.

Caring for NCDs: A Collective Endeavor

In our journey towards a healthier world, one undeniable truth emerges – bridging the care gap for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) necessitates a united front, a symphony of efforts that harmonizes the contributions of healthcare systems, governments, communities, and individuals. The multifaceted strategies and initiatives outlined earlier offer a roadmap for transformation, but the journey requires our unwavering commitment and collective resolve.

The core of this mission rests upon a comprehensive approach, one that transcends the silos of healthcare delivery and extends its reach to the very social determinants that give rise to NCDs. It beckons us to strengthen primary healthcare, raise awareness, ensure medication access, empower patients, promote healthy lifestyles, and advocate for policy change. But the change we seek extends beyond mere strategies and policies. It calls upon us, as individuals, to take proactive steps towards prevention and healthy living.

Internationally, the fight against NCDs has found allies in organizations like the NCD Alliance and the World Health Organization (WHO). Their dedication to combating NCDs is inspiring, serving as a beacon of hope in this global battle.

In Kenya and around the world, the critical moment for caring has arrived. We stand at a crossroads, where the path we choose will define the future of healthcare and wellbeing. Let us heed this call to action during the Global Week of Action on NCDs[3] and make caring for our health and the health of our communities a priority. Together, we can transform the silent epidemic of NCDs into a narrative of resilience, prevention, and compassionate care.

References

[1] Integrating non-communicable disease prevention and care into global health initiatives and universal health coverage https://ncdalliance.org/integrating-noncommunicable-disease-prevention-and-care-into-global-health-initiaves-and-universal-health-coverage

[2] 2023 Global Week for Action: The Moment for Caring https://ncdalliance.org/join-us/2023-global-week-for-action-the-moment-for-caring

[3] The Global Week of Action on NCDs: https://actonncds.org/

Article authored by Dr. Terry Kuria, Pharmacist & Member Ryculture YouTH Voices Network