title: Mitigation of non-communicable diseases in developing countries with community health workers.
abstract: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are rapidly becoming priorities in developing countries. While developed countries are more prepared in terms of skilled human resources for NCD management, developing the required human resources is still a challenge in developing countries. In this context, mobilizing community health workers (CHWs) for control of NCDs seems promising. With proper training, supervision and logistical support, CHWs can participate in the detection and treatment of hypertension, diabetes, and other priority chronic diseases. Furthermore, advice and support that CHWs can provide about diet, physical activity, and other healthy lifestyle habits (such as avoidance of smoking and excessive alcohol intake) have the potential for contributing importantly to NCD programs. This paper explores the possibility of involving CHWs in developing countries for addressing NCDs.
authors.affiliation: Nepal Development Society (NEDS), Bharatpur-10, Chitwan, Nepal. shivarajmishra@gmail.com.|School of Population Health, The University Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia. shivarajmishra@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Shiva Raj
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Mishra
authors.affiliation: Nepal Development Society (NEDS), Bharatpur-10, Chitwan, Nepal. neupane.dinesh@gmail.com.|Department of Public Health, Center for Global Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark. neupane.dinesh@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Dinesh
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Neupane
authors.affiliation: School of Population Health, The University Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, WA, 6009, Australia. david.preen@uwa.edu.au.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Preen
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Center for Global Health, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark. kallestrup@dadlnet.dk.
authors.forename: Per
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kallestrup
authors.affiliation: Department of International Health, Health Systems Program, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MS, USA. hperry2@jhu.edu.
authors.forename: Henry B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Perry
mesh_terms: D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003150:Community Health Workers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003906:Developing Countries; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000517:prevention & control; D004032:Diet / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000517:prevention & control; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D000074606:Smoking Prevention