Global health policy, Opinion

The Importance of People-Centred Care in Treating NCDs

Confronting the epidemic of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) requires an approach that is tailored to people, rather than diseases. Organisations that ensure such efforts are community-based and sustainable, and help people better engage with the health system have the best chances of success.

Most read this month

Landmark discoveries with staggering impact

Amazing advances in medicines hold huge promise for a better world

Fake drugs and how to protect the vulnerable

We face a fundamental change of the cost structure on the supply side and a need for a fundamental change.

Jochen Kreusel

- Market innovation manager in the power grids division at ABB Power

They [the European Commission] are looking at this stuff backwards. I still think they are convinced the short-term market model could work even though they are also starting to realise that you need something parallel, with long term price signals that give investors confidence to invest in infrastructure and allow them to see a decent market return.

Francesco Venturini

- Global head of renewables for Italian utility Enel

Despite tremendous cost decline of wind and solar technologies, electricity prices will probably remain too low to attract the level of investment needed.

Fatih Birol

- Executive director of the International Energy Agency

The greatest barrier to overcome is the integration of variable renewables into electricity systems. This will require developing power system flexibility and also a friendly deployment of variable renewables.

Fatih Birol

- Executive director of the International Energy Agency

Obesity and Mental Health: Addressing Stigma and Misconceptions

Obesity is one of the most urgent global health challenges of the 21st century. Prevalence rates have reached pandemic proportions, global obesity targets are catastrophically off-track, and health systems across the globe are almost uniformly ill-equipped to address care and prevention. As obesity rates have increased so too has weight stigma - the negative behaviours and attitudes that are directed towards individuals solely because of their weight. Addressing weight stigma is vital to successfully reversing the impact of obesity.

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mental health, ncds, obesity

Response to Mental Health Crisis Needs to Start with Primary Health Care

Primary health care (PHC) brings comprehensive health care closer to people and a PHC provider is oftentimes the first health point of contact. Mental health care, delivered through PHC, has been demonstrated to increase access to care in a cost-effective way, reduce stigma associated with mental illness, improve social integration, and decrease the number of referrals to secondary level care. Despite this evidence, the diagnosis and treatment gap remain incredibly wide and has been exacerbated by COVID-19.

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global health, health, health systems, healthcare, mental health, ncds, Prevention Plans, primary healthcare, Public Policy

Addressing Diabetes through Traditional Indigenous Ways: Listen, Learn, Act

The number of people with type 2 diabetes continues to expand to record levels globally, and Indigenous peoples have some of the highest rates of illness. Adopting solutions based on Indigenous cultures and giving these populations the autonomy to put them into practice is the best way of confronting the disease burden.

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The Promise of Digital Health Innovations for People Living with Diabetes

The number of people living with diabetes (PLWDs) has quadrupled in the last 40 years, adding to the pressures on health systems, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Innovative approaches are required to address this large and growing global health challenge and digital health tools will be an important part of innovative solutions.

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Ending Rheumatic Heart Disease is achievable if we put our hearts and minds to it

Preventable, yet persistent, Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) is the most commonly acquired heart disease in people under 25 years of age. The World Heart Federation (WHF) is committed to the fight to ensure cardiovascular health for everyone. Through WHF’s network of Members and the power of personal testimonials, we are spreading awareness that RHD can be prevented, diagnosed, and treated.

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A global health convergence for approaching infectious and noncommunicable diseases

The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the threat that sudden stresses pose to health resources and supply chains in all countries, regardless of their income level. With the rapid growth in non-communicable diseases, global health systems are under increasing pressure. Moving to integrated health management systems should be a priority for policymakers.

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Landmark discoveries with staggering impact

As long ago as 550 BC, Chinese philosopher Confucius told us to “study the past if you would define the future.” In that spirit FORESIGHT Global Health takes a look at how specific medicines for treating non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have evolutionised the prospects and care of people diagnosed with an NCD. Understanding this evolution in medical knowledge shows what research can achieve—and what it can aspire to next.

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Kenya shines light on mental health crisis sweeping Africa

A new commitment by Kenya’s leaders helped move mental illness onto the health agenda, yet political will was only the beginning of the journey. The country’s first steps towards meeting the mental health needs of its population illustrate the broader obstacles to extending psychological care throughout the African continent.

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@FORESIGHTdk TWEETS
Global health policy

Integrated health care has to happen

The covid-19 pandemic has illustrated how chances of recovery from a severe infectious disease are strongly influenced by the presence, or not, of a non infectious disease. People without underlying health issues are far less likely to succumb to covid-19. As societies age, health care must better integrate the care of NCDs with that of other diseases. It will save both lives and money.

Overcoming key barriers to quality diabetes care around the world

On the steps of recovery

The Importance of People-Centred Care in Treating NCDs

Ending Rheumatic Heart Disease is achievable if we put our hearts and minds to it

Building a GPS for doctors – the potential of learning elimination in healthcare

People power as the driver and disruptor for the NCD agenda

Addressing the Unmet Needs of People Living with Diabetes: 100 years after the discovery of insulin

Increasing risk factors hurt economic growth

Make the link between chronic disease and economic output

Treatment by video is here to stay thanks to the pandemic

Amazing advances in medicines hold huge promise for a better world

Introduction: Medicines that changed the world

Fake drugs and how to protect the vulnerable

To manage syndemics think like an octopus

Community health workers key to cost-effective prevention

The thyroid, the organ below the radar

What our editors are reading

Excess Weight & COVID-19 by Public Health England

 Reports

This report provides evidence-based insights on the relationship between excess weight and COVID-19. Evidence has been brought together from UK and international studies published during the pandemic. These have been identified using a pragmatic methodology; the report is not a systematic review. Findings have been contextualised with information on the prevalence, causes, and risks of excess weight. Information on food and drink purchases and physical activity during lockdown is also included.

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Bridging the Gap on NCDs by NCD Alliance

 Reports

Since the first United Nations High-Level Meeting (UN HLM) on NCDs in 2011, the NCD community has been able to point to many successes on the global stage: Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) are recognised as the world’s biggest killer and cause of disability, constituting a global health crisis that requires an urgent policy response. This was acknowledged by world leaders at three UN HLMs on NCDs, meriting a dedicated target in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030.

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NCDs Progress Monitor 2020 by WHO

 Reports

The 2020 Progress Monitor provides data on the 19 indicators detailed in the Technical Note for all of WHO’s 194 Member States. The indicators include setting time-bound targets to reduce NCD deaths; developing all-of-government policies to address NCDs; implementing key tobacco demand reduction measures, measures to reduce harmful use of alcohol and unhealthy diets and promote physical activity; and strengthening health systems through primary health care and universal health coverage.

 Link to source