Prioritization

There are many interventions available for the prevention and control of NCDs. Cost-effectiveness analysis is useful, but it has limitations and should not be used as the only basis for decision making. When selecting interventions for the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases, consideration should be given to effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, affordability, implementation capacity, feasibility, local context, health equity, and the need for a combination of population-wide policy interventions and individual interventions. Demonstration of impact by high coverage, and the speed and scale of implementation provide learnings that can help in further scale up (36).

Prioritization is important, as coverage of NCD services is generally lower, and out-of-pocket costs higher, than for services for reproductive, maternal, neonatal and child health, and for infectious diseases.