Addressing the Global Burden of NCDs: Health Workers Needed
In the past few decades, the incidence and prevalence of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) has continued to grow. The more we learn about the magnitude of NCDs, especially in developing countries, the more it’s clear that we need to focus on health workers as the center of our efforts to manage NCDs effectively.
The first Global Ministerial Conference on Healthy Lifestyles and Noncommunicable Disease Control, held in April 2011 in Moscow, drew much-needed attention to the global burden of NCDs. The conference report showed that cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, and chronic respiratory diseases are the leading causes of morbidity, disability, and mortality in the world. NCDs cause over 60% of global deaths, 80% of which occur in developing countries. In addition NCDs are projected to contribute to 75% of global deaths by 2030, significantly impacting all levels of health services, health care costs, and the health workforce, as well as national productivity. The June 2011 Global Health Council annual conference provided further exposure for global and country-based research findings, program interventions, lessons learned, and the way forward in addressing NCDs.
Prevention and control of NCDs
Health systems in developing countries need to face the challenges stemming from NCDs and infectious diseases at the same time. Yet the limited access to skilled health workers due to the health workforce shortage makes addressing NCDs extremely difficult. In most African countries, for example, people with NCDs tend to seek health care at a later stage of their disease, and the few available health workers mostly lack the skills and the enabling environment to diagnose NCDs and provide the appropriate management.
NCD prevention and control calls for a wide range of interventions at all levels of the health system. Policy commitment and strengthening primary health care services to mobilize the community for healthy lifestyles are important elements for prevention. It is also vital to leverage resources to enable health workers to provide quality services.
Health workers needed
The need for health workers with the skill and commitment to manage NCDs is higher than ever. NCDs cannot be effectively managed by the competency level of community health workers, and the common measures used to prevent infectious diseases may not necessarily apply. NCDs need long-term behavioral change, lifestyle improvements, and clinical management with efficient follow-up.
It is critical for health workers at all levels of the health system to have the competency to help prevent, diagnose, and treat these diseases. Cognizant of this, CapacityPlus is working with health science institutions in developing countries to build local capacity to improve quality of preservice medical and nursing education. Through the Global Advisory Board on Strengthening Medical, Nursing, and Public Health Schools in Developing Countries, for example, CapacityPlus is helping address management issues in health professional schools. These efforts are important for the development of a quality health workforce and support the goal of reducing the burden of NCDs.
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