NCDAK delegation UNHLM Presentation to CS Health Mrs Sicily Kariuki at Afya House

10003 Warrior Project

What are NCDs?

The Non-Communicable Diseases Alliance in Kenya (NCDAK) emerged out of the need to comprehensively and sustainably address the rising prevalence of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in Kenya and in other parts of the world. Many individuals, associations, professional bodies and institutions recognise the need to have joint action to address NCDs.

WHO has prioritised five (5) main NCDs which share common risk factors.

1. Cardiovascular Diseases
2. Diabetes Mellitus
3. Cancers
4. Chronic Lung Diseases
5. Mental Health

Kenya has added to the list other diseases of importance to include:

1. Stroke
2. Accidents and injuries
3. Musculoskeletal diseases

The risk factors are:

1. Unhealthy diets with excessive food additives including salt and sugars
2. Lack of physical activity
3. Tobacco use
4. Harmful use of Alcohol
5. Air pollution

Furthermore, there is a close link between some communicable diseases, e.g. tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS and NCDs.

Other NCDs however, affect a significant number of the population yet they have completely unrelated or non-shared risk factors, for example, Rheumatic Heart Disease and Eye Disease among others.

NCDAK, therefore, provides a framework within which the different actors can plan, act together and ensure that Kenyans enjoy good quality of life free of NCDs and their adverse effects.