Assessing National Capacity for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases: Report of the 2015 Global Survey

As part of its efforts to track global progress to reduce premature death from preventable NCDs, WHO conducted its fifth national NCD country capacity survey in 2015. The aim of this survey was to generate detailed information from countries on their current capacities related to NCD infrastructure, policy action, surveillance and health-systems response. Besides providing a useful snapshot of the progress countries are making to beat NCDs, the WHO NCD country capacity survey highlights areas that urgently require prioritization and additional strengthening.

The survey reveals that while significant progress is being made overall, on-going challenges persist in addressing NCDs in many countries. These include a lack of resourcing of key initiatives that can prevent people developing an NCD or provide care for those in need; weak multisectoral coordination, resulting in NCDs continuing to be seen as just a “health issue” in many countries; and difficulties in putting plans and strategies to address NCDs into action.