title: Young professionals for health development: the Kenyan experience in combating non-communicable diseases.
abstract: Young individuals (below 35 years) comprise an estimated 60% of the global population. Not only are these individuals currently experiencing chronic, non-communicable diseases (NCDs), either living with or at risk for these conditions, but will also experience the long-term repercussions of the current NCD policy implementations. It is thus imperative that they meaningfully contribute to the global discourse and responses for NCDs at the local level. Here, we profile one example of meaningful engagement: the Young Professionals Chronic Disease Network (YPCDN). The YPCDN is a global online network that provides a platform for young professionals to deliberate new and innovative methods of approaching the NCD challenges facing our societies. We provide a case study of the 2-year experiences of a country chapter (Kenya) of the YPCDN to demonstrate the significance and impact of emerging leaders in addressing the new global health agenda of the 21st century.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya; Young Professionals Chronic Disease Network, Boston, MA, USA; dunmatheka@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Duncan M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Matheka
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nderitu
authors.forename: Rajesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vedanthan
authors.forename: Alessandro R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Demaio
authors.forename: Mellany
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Murgor
authors.forename: Kiti
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kajana
authors.forename: Poonamjeet
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Loyal
authors.forename: Faraj O
authors.initials: FO
authors.lastname: Alkizim
authors.forename: Sandeep P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Kishore
mesh_terms: D035843:Biomedical Research; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003906:Developing Countries; D014943:Global Health; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D007630:Kenya / Q000453:epidemiology; D007857:Leadership; D008403:Mass Screening; D010344:Patient Advocacy
keywords: Africa; cancer; cardiovascular diseases (CVD); developing countries; diabetes mellitus; medical students; rheumatic heart disease (RHD); screening medical camps; young people; youth