Editor's Note

Abstract

Strategies for the prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) continue to dominate the debate and pleas for action in the health and nutrition domains as they impact adversely on healthcare costs, healthcare delivery, and, globally, are the leading cause of death (70%) with the majority of these deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries. In this regard, NCDs have been included in the Sustainable Development Goals 2015 agenda of the United Nations with a goal to reduce by one third the NCDs-related premature mortality which would be achieved by targeting modifiable risk factors (alcohol and tobacco use) and the implementation of universal health coverage by 2030. Furthermore, projections from the USA, for instance, indicate that the annual total (direct and indirect) costs of CVD and stroke were estimated at $316.1 billion in the 2012 to 2013 period, excluding the cost of home nursing care ($80 billion); if the latter direct cost were to be included, the total direct medical costs of CVD are projected to increase from $396 billion in 2012 to $918 billion in 2030. Against this background, it is encouraging that the WHO Global report on the national capacity for the prevention of NCDs would appear to indicate some progress, albeit slow, in recognising the immensity of the task. The report also identifies the urgent need for improved infrastructure and staffing as well as policies and plans.^1-3