Preface
The prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) constitute a development issue that low-income countries in South Asia are already facing. Both country- and regional-level strategies are important because many of the issues and challenges of mounting an effective response to NCDs are common to most South Asian countries, even though their disease burden profiles vary. Hence, the rationale for this book is that strategic decisions for prevention and treatment of NCDs can effectively address the future burden of disease, promote healthy aging, and increase the potential benefit from the demographic transition, thus contributing to economic development. This book’s goal is to encourage countries to develop, adopt, and implement effective and timely country and regional responses that reduce the population-level risk factors and NCD disease burden. Its main objectives are to develop the following: • An NCD burden and risk factor profile for all countries and the region as a whole • A rationale for public policy and action for NCDs • A framework to guide the formulation of public policies and strategies for NCDs xi