April 07, 2022

The burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) has reached alarming rates, and mortality of NCDs in most EMR countries is above the world average. Multiple challenges and gaps exist, and the fragility of the health systems in the EMR in providing NCD prevention and care services has been highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Reducing NCD-related morbidity and mortality necessitates an ecological, life course approach to study disease etiology coupled with multi-sectoral action and policy, and the implementation of effective multi-level interventions and “best buys”. None of this is achievable without a strong national and regional capacity to produce locally relevant NCD evidence.

This policy brief, developed by GHD|EMPHNET, summarizes the challenges to be overcome, including the gaps in the current NCDs response structure, and focuses on current approaches and strategies for an effective response to the NCD crisis in the EMR.

Read full policy brief here