Integrated programme for noncommunicable diseases prevention and control (NCD).

In spite of the difference between developed and developing countries, health conditions change in a predictable pattern: the mortality and morbidity rates caused by infectious diseases decline while the rates related to non-infectious pathology increase. Taking into account the increasing importance of noncommunicable diseases, the majority of countries are developing a set of disease-oriented (cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, etc.) prevention and control programmes as well as factor-oriented programmes such as anti-smoking, alcohol abuse and nutrition. The Integrated Programme for Community Health in Noncommunicable Diseases, which is being developed both in WHO headquarters and in the Regional Offices, aims to amalgamate into one programme activities directed at influencing a group of risk factors common to several of the most important noncommunicable diseases. The four main directions being developed for the realization of this programme are: experimental testing, mathematical modelling, training activity and research development: At present WHO headquarters: has established 18 demonstration projects in 15 countries for experimental testing of different intervention programmes; is collecting mathematical models for prediction of efficacy and effectiveness of different alternatives and scenarios; is developing different types of training courses; is investigating the competing risk among noncommunicable diseases and time lag for different intervention programmes, etc. In order to develop all these directions many collaborating centres are participating, and close cooperation with some nongovernmental organizations has been established.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

PIP: Because declining mortality from infectious diseases is accompanied by increasing mortality from noncommunicable diseases in both developed and developing countries, the World Health Organization (WHO) has initiated the Integrated Program for Community Health in Noncommunicable Diseases (Interhealth). Interhealth is based on the concepts that 1) noncommunicable diseases are related to a set of risk factors some of which can be controlled; 2) the entire community must be involved; 3) health promotion intervention strategies, such as population control, risk identification, screening and prevention strategies, must be integrated; 4) different categories of intervention (e.g., lifestyle changes, health care reorganization) must be coordinated; 5) social and environmental changes will be necessary; and 6) noncommunicable disease prevention and control strategies will be implemented through existing primary health care systems. The core program of Interhealth addresses heart diseases, stroke, diabetes, cancer, and respiratory diseases from the point of view of their common risk factors: diet, tobacco, physical activity, environment, oral hygiene, blood pressure, lipids, and glucose. The Interhealth program is being developed as a dynamic system, consisting of 4 main activities: experimental testing by means of demonstration projects (of which there are currently 18 in 15 countries); mathematical modeling of disease/risk factor interrelations; training; and research activities. These activities will be supported by organizational, financial and information activities at WHO headquarters and in the WHO Regional Offices.