ASSESSING THE PUBLIC HEALTH BURDEN OF NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES IN LOW- AND MIDDLE-INCOME COUNTRIES

Abstract

Health systems consist of individuals, organizations, and processes that need leadership, governance, and resources to address the needs of the populations they serve. Successful health policy and interventions need to be evidence-based with ongoing monitoring by surveillance. Mechanisms for policy implementation for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are imperative. Over the past few decades, the increasing trend of NCDs and their implications in low- and middle-income countries have drawn attention. Nonetheless, the histories of high-income countries are different from those of low- and middle-income countries, and thus their experiences are informative of this rising trend. This review looks at inequalities in NCDs across high-income and low- and middle-income countries, setting the scene to comprehend the epidemic. Theories regarding the developmental and degenerative determinants of NCDs are considered to guide prevention initiatives. Finally, the improvement of primary care through health system reform is an essential strategy to curb mortality of the burgeoning NCD epidemic