Noncommunicable diseases in emergencies

Overview

The range of threats to public health faced by countries worldwide is broad and highly diverse. The current preparedness and response is mainly geared for infectious diseases outbreaks, unsafe food and water and of late for health system preparedness. Noncommunicable diseases ( NCDs) which include cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer and chronic lung diseases are usually not considered as part of the response.

Emergencies can lead to an acute exacerbation or a life-threatening deterioration in the health of people with NCDs. It is important to inform all stakeholders about the importance of including NCDs in the preparedness and response.

This brief, led by WHO and UNHCR, is intended primarily for emergency planners, emergency care professionals and policy-makers tasked with emergency response and preparedness. It highlights the impact of emergencies on people with NCDs and provides some suggestions to address them.