Taking action against a rising global health threat

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs)—namely diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and chronic respiratory diseases—are the leading causes of death and disability globally and disproportionately affect those living in low- and middle-income countries. An alarming two-thirds of deaths worldwide are caused by NCDs, and almost 75 percent occur in lower-resourced settings.

Often progressing slowly and requiring long-term care, these diseases exact an enormous toll on the people they affect and their families and communities. Those who suffer are more likely to develop complications and die earlier in life—often at the peak of their productive years—impacting the financial well-being of their households and posing a substantial burden on health systems and national economies.

Our strategy: innovate, advocate, integrate, optimize

PATH is at the forefront of the fight against NCDs, with efforts focused on diabetes, hypertension, and breast and cervical cancers. Our strategy emphasizes the acceleration of promising technologies and innovative approaches to diagnosis and care; advocacy for increased global and national attention; integration of NCD prevention and care into local health care systems; and activities to increase the availability of affordable essential medicines and technologies.

Greater access to the right care for NCDs

PATH and our partners are committed to working toward the global target of 80 percent availability of affordable essential NCD medicines and technologies in public and private health facilities. The PATH-led No Empty Shelves project is building evidence around the availability of affordable essential medicines and technologies for people living in lower-income households and mobilizing the global health community to ensure care reaches those who need it.

PATH serves as the secretariat for the global, multisectoral Coalition for Access to NCD Medicines & Products, which is dedicated to increasing access to essential medicines and health products for noncommunicable diseases to reduce the impact of diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. Through technical support, advocacy, and resource mobilization, the Coalition works with Ministries of Health to address barriers and identify opportunities with the procurement, supply, distribution, and rational use of needed products. Members include government agencies, private-sector entities, nongovernmental organizations, philanthropic foundations, and academic institutions.

Innovative models for hypertension care

In Kenya, PATH is implementing an innovative program targeting traditionally hard-to-reach patient populations by integrating hypertension and HIV/AIDS services. The program is part of a groundbreaking public-private partnership between the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and AstraZeneca. We are also collaborating with the Novartis Foundation to introduce a new health care delivery model in Vietnam designed to increase access points for screening and diagnosis and improve hypertension management.

As champions of high-quality patient education, prevention tools, and better access to appropriate screening and care, PATH will continue to take action so that people living with NCDs can have longer, healthier lives.

Photo: PATH/Gabe Bienczycki.