Cameroon NCDI Poverty Commission Meets Ahead of Report Dissemination

Members of the Cameroon NCDI Poverty Commission met in Yaounde on May 10 to review the results of their situation analysis and priority-setting work on the country’s noncommunicable disease burden. Attending were leaders and representatives of both the Ministry of Health and the country office of the World Health Organization.

The Commission’s preliminary report highlighted the country’s increasing burden of NCDs. The team noted the broad assumption that most NCDs result from metabolic and behavioral risk factors, including tobacco use, a harmful use of alcohol, unhealthy diets, and physical inactivity. The situation analysis revealed, however, that lifestyle risk factors account for only 49 percent of NCD-related DALYs (disability-adjusted life years). While public health interventions targeted at lifestyle risk factors are critically important, Commission members noted, the country’s health agenda will need to extend beyond diseases caused by behavioral risk factors.

After considering mortality, severity, disability, and equity issues, Commission members set priorities for a range of conditions and interventions. Their next step will be to formulate recommendations for an integrated delivery of prioritized NCD services.

After Commission members publish their final report, they will begin Phase 2 work, which includes facility assessment. The Commission will also collaborate with the research team of the Center for Integration Science in Global Health Equity to design an appropriate delivery model.