Responding to the Threat of Nutrition-related Non-communicable Disease

Abstract

Shifts in society, demography, technology and the environment are significantly impacting the global burden of disease, with non-communicable disease (NCD) on the rise. Almost half of all deaths attributable to NCD have nutrition as the predominant risk factor (cardiovascular diseases and diabetes). This briefing provides an overview of policy options that have been or could be adopted across a number of sectors, specifically health systems, social protection, food, agriculture and nutrition, and governance. It recommends that the international development community pay greater attention to the undermining effect of NCD, and develop cross-sectoral policy responses to respond to this growing threat.