SCALING UP NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASE CONTROL: LESSONS TO BE LEARNT FROM THE INFECTIOUS DISEASE PARADIGM IN KENYA

Area of Science:

• Global Health
• Epidemiology
• Public Health Policy

Background:

• Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are increasingly prevalent globally, with Sub-Saharan Africa experiencing a rapid rise in cardiovascular diseases.
• This rise compounds the existing burden of infectious diseases in the region, creating a "double burden" of disease.
• Key interactions include tuberculosis and diabetes mellitus, HIV and cardiovascular disease, and HIV and cervical cancer.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the epidemiology of NCDs and infectious diseases in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• To analyze funding and service delivery disparities between NCDs and infectious diseases.
• To propose strategies for NCD control scale-up informed by the HIV response in Kenya and other African countries.

Main Methods:

• Review of cross-cutting epidemiology of NCDs and infectious diseases.
• Analysis of disease interactions (e.g., TB-Diabetes, HIV-CVD, HIV-Cervical Cancer).
• Assessment of funding and service delivery system disparities.

Main Results:

• Significant rise in NCDs, especially cardiovascular diseases, in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Disparities exist in funding and service delivery between NCDs and infectious diseases.
• Identified key disease interactions and their public health implications.

Conclusions:

• The dual burden of infectious and non-communicable diseases requires integrated approaches.
• Lessons learned from the HIV response are crucial for scaling up NCD control.
• Adaptable strategies from the HIV response can improve NCD management in Kenya and across Africa.