Newly Emerging, Re-emerging, Chronic and Non-communicable Diseases and Mental Health Issues

This UNU International Institute for Global Health (UNU-IIGH) programme is aimed at addressing the increasing challenges caused by chronic non-communicable diseases that require comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach strategies. Newly emerging and re-emerging diseases that have huge socio-economic impact will also be covered in this programme. UNU-IIGH, in cooperation with the UNU Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH), is taking the lead in addressing the resulting issues by proposing an innovative research approach that brings together various stakeholders, including health ministries in developing countries, and research institutes and organizations. The partners will focus specifically on dengue and chikungkunya. Research will further focus on challenges resulting from Type 2 diabetes, stroke, cancers and mental health. Cost-effectiveness evaluation of innovative interventions to manage chronic non-communicable diseases among high risk populations in developing countries will also be given priority in the research agenda.

Focal Point

This programme will be led by a UNU-IIGH Research Fellow.

Purpose

The aim of this programme is to develop the impact of healthy lifestyles campaigns that will include promoting best practices information and lifestyle programmes across many developing countries.

Approach

The approach is through collaborative research and capacity development activities with local and international partners. Workshops, seminars and conferences will be organized at local, regional and international levels.

Gender

Women researchers will be encouraged to participate in the various projects to ensure gender balance in the programme.

Target Audience

The audience and stakeholders include local communities, community leaders, national health authorities and policymakers.

Intended Impact

Impact: Influencing policymaking at the international level
Target: Governments and health practitioners.
How: Evidence-based research.

Impact: Capacity development in developed/developing countries
Target: Health practitioners, Non-governmental agencies, government institutes and policy makers.
How: International seminars, and capacity building workshops.

Impact: Raising awareness
Target: Community, health practitioners, Non-governmental agencies, government institutes and policy makers.
How: International seminars, and capacity building workshops.

Value Added

UNU-IIGH will work together with stakeholders from government and non-govermental organisations to ensure ‘buy-in’. This will help ensure that the programme be implemented smoothly and achieve the intended objectives.

Dissemination

Outputs of the programme include research reports, paper presentations at national and international conferences, journal publications and capacity building of local expertise. The output will be disseminated through presentations in local and international seminars, workshops and conferences and publications in scientific reports and journals.

Timeline/Programme Cycle

Activities in this programme will be conducted through out the two-year period covered under this biennium.

Evaluation

Activities will be evaluated by assessing changes in knowledge monitored to ensure progress through meetings, workshops and progress reporting.

Challenges

Among the challenges are a lack of health infrastructure to facilitate take-up of new approaches developed in the programme, lack of human resource capacity and financial constraints.