PATH Program

Noncommunicable Diseases

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs)—namely diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and chronic respiratory diseases—are the leading causes of death and disability globally and disproportionately affect those living in low- and middle-income countries. An alarming two-thirds of deaths worldwide are caused by NCDs, and almost 75 percent occur in lower-resourced settings.

Often progressing slowly and requiring long-term care, these diseases exact an enormous toll on the people they affect and their families and communities. Those who suffer are more likely to develop complications and die earlier in life—often at the peak of their productive years—impacting the financial well-being of their households and posing a substantial burden on health systems and national economies.

Featured Stories

September 7, 2017
Taking on one of Africa’s top killers (hint: it’s not what you think)
August 17, 2021
In Ghana, hypertension care adapts and overcomes
January 31, 2016
Lifesaving cancer care: real tools for women who urgently need them
11 Article s
  1. PATH's Gerald Robi interviews a caregiver for a person living with diabetes as part of the landscaping exercise.
    November 14, 2023

    Five critical issues facing people living with diabetes resurge in Diabetes CarePak landscape assessments

    Diabetes is a global and growing problem. Recent evidence published by the Lancet projects that 1.3 billion people will have diabetes by 2050.
  2. Media Bank 19377
    June 13, 2023

    Six ways to advance mental health care for all

    Mental health care is a core component of universal health coverage.
  3. The Healthy Heart Africa program leverages COVID-19 vaccination campaigns to expand hypertension screenings in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. Photo: PATH/Robert Yeboah.
    August 17, 2021

    In Ghana, hypertension care adapts and overcomes

    How PATH is helping maintain access to hypertension screening and care—especially for those most at risk for severe COVID-19 illness.
  4. Community volunteers screen a Co.opMart customer for hypertension. Photo: PATH/Hung Nguyen Manh.
    June 14, 2021

    Bringing health screenings closer to communities in Vietnam

    How PATH and a beloved grocery store chain are increasing access to screenings for hypertension and diabetes.
  5. Aida (left) and Mame Fama Male (right in blue) are community health educators in Pikine, Senegal, who educate women about their family planning options. PATH/Gabe Bienczycki
    February 11, 2021

    People at the center: PHC at PATH

    PATH’s new Primary Health Care (PHC) program links expertise across essential health areas.
  6. Neeraj Jain
    August 23, 2018

    7 ways public health in India has changed over the last decade

    A national strategy focused on digital health, nutrition, and other high-impact interventions has dramatically improved health outcomes across India—but more work remains to be done.
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