Executive Summary
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancers, and chronic respiratory conditions are the leading cause of death globally, accounting for over 70% of all deaths. The burden of NCDs is rising rapidly in low- and middle-income countries, where health systems are often oriented toward curative care and are ill-equipped to manage long-term, chronic conditions. Preventable risk factors—unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, tobacco use, harmful alcohol consumption, and environmental pollution—drive much of this burden.
This proposal presents a comprehensive preventive care approach to tackling NCDs by addressing behavioral, social, and environmental determinants of health. The initiative focuses on community-based prevention, early detection, health promotion, and integration of NCD prevention into primary healthcare systems. Implemented over five years, the program aims to reduce NCD risk factors, improve early diagnosis, and strengthen health system capacity for sustainable prevention and control.
Background and Problem Statement
NCDs pose a major threat to public health, economic development, and social well-being. Premature mortality from NCDs disproportionately affects poor and marginalized populations, exacerbating inequalities and placing long-term strain on households and health systems. Many individuals are diagnosed late, when complications are advanced and treatment costs are high.
Health systems in many settings prioritize acute and infectious diseases, with limited investment in preventive services and health promotion. Screening for hypertension, diabetes, and cancers is often sporadic, and referral and follow-up mechanisms are weak. At the same time, rapid urbanization, sedentary lifestyles, unhealthy food environments, and increased exposure to tobacco and alcohol are accelerating NCD risk.
Preventive care—encompassing health promotion, risk reduction, early detection, and sustained community engagement—offers the most cost-effective and equitable pathway to curb the NCD epidemic and improve population health outcomes.
Project Goal and Objectives
Overall Goal
To reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases by strengthening preventive care and early detection through community-centered and primary healthcare approaches.
Specific Objectives
- Reduce exposure to major NCD risk factors through health promotion and behavior change interventions.
- Increase early detection and screening for priority NCDs.
- Strengthen primary healthcare systems to deliver integrated NCD preventive services.
- Improve community awareness, self-care, and long-term disease prevention practices.
- Support data-driven planning and monitoring of NCD prevention efforts.
Target Populations and Geographic Focus
Target Populations
- Adults at risk of or living with NCDs
- Women, men, and adolescents exposed to lifestyle risk factors
- Low-income and marginalized communities
- Primary healthcare providers and community health workers
Geographic Focus
The program will be implemented in selected urban, peri-urban, and rural areas in low- and middle-income countries, with adaptability for diverse contexts.
Project Components and Key Activities
- Component 1: Community-Based Health Promotion and Risk Reduction
- Community campaigns on healthy diets, physical activity, and tobacco and alcohol reduction
- School- and workplace-based health promotion initiatives
- Promotion of active living and healthy food environments
- Engagement of community leaders and civil society organizations
- Component 2: Early Detection and Screening Services
- Routine screening for hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and selected cancers
- Mobile outreach and community screening events
- Risk stratification and referral for follow-up care
- Integration of screening into routine primary healthcare visits
- Component 3: Strengthening Primary Healthcare for NCD Prevention
- Training health workers in preventive counseling and NCD management
- Standardized protocols for screening, referral, and follow-up
- Task-sharing approaches using community health workers
- Integration of NCD services with maternal, child, and infectious disease programs
- Component 4: Digital Health and Self-Care Support
- Mobile tools for appointment reminders, lifestyle tracking, and adherence support
- Digital decision-support tools for health workers
- Health information systems for monitoring risk factors and outcomes
- Component 5: Policy Advocacy and Multisectoral Action
Cross-Cutting Themes
- Equity and Social Inclusion
- The program prioritizes underserved populations and addresses social determinants of health influencing NCD risk.
- Gender and Life-Course Approach
- Interventions will be tailored to gender-specific needs and different life stages, from adolescence to older age.
- Sustainability and Cost-Effectiveness
- Prevention-focused interventions will reduce long-term healthcare costs and improve system sustainability.
Expected Results and Outcomes
Key Outputs
- Communities reached with NCD prevention and health promotion activities
- Individuals screened for priority NCD risk factors
- Health workers trained in preventive care and early detection
- Functional referral and follow-up systems
Outcomes
- Reduced prevalence of key NCD risk factors
- Increased early diagnosis and management of NCDs
- Improved health-seeking behaviors and self-care practices
- Strengthened primary healthcare capacity for NCD prevention
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL)
The MEL framework will include:
- Baseline and endline assessments of risk factors and service coverage
- Routine monitoring of screening and referral outcomes
- Behavioral and knowledge change assessments
- Continuous learning to refine preventive strategies
Implementation Strategy and Partnerships
The program will be implemented through partnerships with:
- Ministries of Health and local health authorities
- Primary healthcare facilities and community health workers
- NGOs, community-based organizations, and academic institutions
- Private sector and digital health partners
Sustainability and Scale-Up
Sustainability will be achieved through integration into primary healthcare systems, capacity building, community ownership, and policy alignment. Successful interventions will be scaled through national NCD strategies.
Budget Overview
The indicative budget covers health promotion activities, screening equipment, training, digital tools, monitoring, and program management. Investments emphasize high-impact, low-cost preventive interventions.
Conclusion
Tackling non-communicable diseases through preventive care is essential to improving population health, reducing health inequalities, and achieving sustainable development. By shifting the focus from treatment to prevention and early detection, this initiative will deliver lasting health benefits and more resilient health systems, aligned with SDG 3 and universal health coverage goals.
