title: Integration of non-communicable diseases in health care: tackling the double burden of disease in African settings.
abstract: Sub-Saharan African countries now face the double burden of Non Communicable and Communicable Diseases. This situation represents a major threat to fragile health systems and emphasises the need for innovative integrative approaches to health care delivery. Health services need to be reorganised to address populations' needs holistically and effectively leverage resources in already resource-limited settings. Access and delivery of quality health care should be reinforced and implemented at primary health care level within the framework of health system strengthening. Competencies need to be developed around services provided rather than specific diseases. New models of integration within the health sector and other sectors should be explored and further evidence generated to inform policy and practice to combat the double burden.
authors.affiliation: African Medical and Research Foundation, International Training Centre, Nairobi, Kenya.
authors.forename: Florence
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Temu
authors.affiliation: African Medical and Research Foundation, International Training Centre, Nairobi, Kenya.
authors.forename: Marcus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leonhardt
authors.affiliation: African Medical and Research Foundation, International Training Centre, Nairobi, Kenya.
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.affiliation: African Medical and Research Foundation, International Training Centre, Nairobi, Kenya.
authors.forename: Sylla
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Thiam
mesh_terms: D000349:Africa; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003906:Developing Countries / Q000191:economics; D005523:Food Supply; D006291:Health Policy; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D014944:World Health Organization
keywords: Africa; Non-communicable diseases; burden of disease; health care