The Global State of Non-Communicable Diseases Planning and Implementation

In 2008, the World Health Organization estimated that 63% of global deaths were due to Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs), mainly cancers, chronic respiratory or cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. In response, the United Nations General Assembly Special Session adopted the Political Declaration on the Prevention and Control of NCDs, which the United Nations Development Programme is responsible for assisting member states fulfill. A Capstone team was requested to research successful approaches and develop a summary report of current NCDs plans. The team first established an analytical framework to review common NCDs risk factors as well as high-value and cost-effective interventions from around the world. Next, the team traveled to Tanzania to research and prepare a case study on the country’s current NCDs planning, looking at multi-sectoral approaches and the flow of information and knowledge. Finally, drawing on both the framework and the case study, the team developed a report outlining current planning processes and providing recommendations for implementation.