Current status and measures against non-communicable diseases (NCD) in the National Health Plan

Abstract

Objectives: In promoting measures against non-communicable diseases (NCD) in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), it is important to identify the efforts to preventing NCD in the National Health Plan (NHP), which shows health strategies for each country. Some NHPs were analyzed in this study, and their descriptions regarding NCD prevention measures were examined. Typical NCD-related indicators were analyzed as per the level of national income, and comparisons between NCD risk factors and national income level were performed. Methods: The study materials were the NHPs of 47 countries listed in MiNDbank, a database managed by WHO. Moreover, we examined the relationship between certain NCD risk factors (smoking, obesity, alcohol intake, physical inactive, etc.) and national income levels in 47 countries using one-way analysis of variance. Results: Significant differences were found between national income levels for the NCD-related indicators. However, there was no significant difference between the smoking rates among males and national income level. Although descriptions on NCD prevention were found for 57.4% in the NHPs of the target countries, there was no significant relationship between the national income level and the ratio of NCD prevention descriptions. Additionally, only 34.0% of countries set numerical targets. Regarding NCD prevention, smoking was most frequently described, followed by exercise and obesity. Smoking targets were set in most countries, regardless of the national income level. On the other hand, vegetable intake targets were only set for high-income countries. Conclusion: Although NHP describes measures regarding NCD prevention, sufficient descriptions were not provided. Consequently, it will be necessary to promote NCD measures, especially in the NHPs of middle-income countries.