Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in FCV Situations

Many FCV countries now have higher mortality due to NCDs than communicable, maternal, perinatal and nutrition related conditions, due to changing disease epidemiology. This note highlights best practices in designing, implementing and evaluating a project that includes an NCD focus or component. The note sets out several arguments for investing in NCD interventions, including the high economic cost of NCDs and good rate of return on NCD interventions. It makes the point that people in FCV situations are often more vulnerable to NCDs due to the increased prevalence of negative coping strategies (e.g. smoking and alcohol consumption), weak/disrupted health systems, and, in emergency situations, the greater likelihood of experiencing a stroke or heart attack. In particular, migrants and refugees have an increased vulnerability to NCDs due the lack of regular treatment available during travel. It goes on to highlight the gaps in the guidelines for implementing NCD interventions in FCV and refugee situations, noting that treatments for different populations may vary (e.g. Syrian refugees tend to be older and suffer more from chronic disease than other refugee populations). The note provides a typology of NCD interventions, and also summarizes the common challenges faced by TTLs when addressing NCDs in FCV situations together with lessons learned. The note concludes by highlighting several emerging trends in practices of evaluating NCD programs in FCV contexts.