Systems and Capacity to Address Noncommunicable Diseases in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

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Science Translational Medicine
17 April 2013 vol 5, issue 181
http://stm.sciencemag.org/content/current

Commentary
HEALTH POLICY
Systems and Capacity to Address Noncommunicable Diseases in Low- and Middle-Income Countries
Mohammed K. Ali1,*, Cristina Rabadán-Diehl2, John Flanigan3, Claire Blanchard4, K. M. Venkat Narayan1 and Michael E Engelgau

Abstract
Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are increasingly getting attention from different forums, including media outlets, health agencies, and the public and private sectors. Progress is being made in addressing NCDs, though more slowly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) as compared with high-income settings. Here, we offer an analysis of the challenges faced in LMICs. We discuss realistic strategies to understand and develop capacity needs (workforce, finances, and infrastructure) and systems (institutions and processes) to sustainably optimize NCD prevention and care in LMICs.