Non-communicable Diseases

COURSES AND PROGRAMMES CAN BE SUBJECT TO CHANGES

WHY?

The burden of NCDs is growing globally and at an unprecedented rate in LMICs as a consequence of population aging, unplanned urbanisation, and widespread unhealthy lifestyles. As a result, current health systems are challenged with an ever-increasing number of people with NCDs adding up to already burdened structures due to widespread infections. Additionally, the associated economic burden on households poses major challenges for patients and their families and for societies at large. It is also interesting to note that the associated risks and determinants for NCDs have contextual variations; compounded by the fact that much of NCD research stems from HICs, the applicability of this knowledge to LMIC settings remains limited. Thus, there exists a noticeable gap in the generation of contextual evidence, and between scientific knowledge and its effective implementation in policy and practice in LMICs.

FOR WHOM?

Are you a health professional or researcher involved in NCD prevention and control and are you interested in the epidemiological, clinical and health systems perspectives of NCDs? Then this 3-week course on NCDs is for you! 

WHAT?

You will learn how to assess the burden and the determinants of NCDs, and to develop, implement and evaluate strategies to tackle NCDs contextualized to specific settings. The focus is mainly on highly prevalent NCDs in LMICs, such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, and their common comorbidities, as well as chronic respiratory diseases, cancer, and mental health and concomitant effects of NCDs on psychosocial wellbeing. 

HOW?

You will have exchanges and discussions with experts on global NCDs during lectures and case-studies. You will also have opportunities for interaction with class peers from a variety of settings. You will appraise the current scientific evidence and learn how to translate knowledge into evidence-based prevention and control programmes. You will learn about organization and implementation of good quality NCD services.

We offer perspectives from different disciplines, combining clinical, epidemiological, social and public health approaches. The Department of Public Health (DPH) at ITM has a solid record in research on care models for NCDs, including community-based peer support and self-management in low resource health system settings. We will also tap the expertise of our worldwide network, inviting collaborators as guest lecturers. We likewise offer the opportunity to visit a diabetes centre where care responsive to the needs of people with diabetes is integrated.