Abstract
Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) of Africa, Asia and Latin America bear a significant proportion of the global burden of chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs). LMICs are unable to respond appropriately to their NCD burden because of a complex blend of epidemiological, demographic, health systems, economic, political and structural challenges. There is an urgent need for LMICs to develop practical, culturally appropriate and cost-effective NCD interventions that lower risk at population levels and reduce levels of morbidity and mortality among individuals living with the major NCDs. Countries that have developed practical and sustainable interventions, despite complex resource challenges, offer important models for others to follow. In this paper, we review the evidence on existing interventions, using the World Health Organization (WHO) health systems building blocks model as an analytical framework. We outline interventions that work at community and national levels in 33 countries. We identify three major cross-cutting challenges facing NCD care in these LMICs and consider how the challenges may be addressed drawing on existing best practice responses.