Monitoring of noncommunicable diseases

Abstract Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) represent a major fraction of the global health burden in terms of morbidity and mortality, and its prevalence is on the rise across the world. As more and more people are living with various NCD, primary and secondary prevention becomes an important tool to contain this impending epidemic. The spectrum of major NCD includes cardiovascular disorders (CVD), diabetes mellitus (DM), chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), and cancer, with CVD contributing to the majority of deaths attributed to NCD. Control of hypertension is important intervention which can significantly decrease the risk of CVD, which can be achieved by three-pronged approaches such as encompassing dietary, physical exercise, and pharmacological interventions. Monitoring is an integral part of this approach, wherein recording of blood pressure and various investigations are required to be done at variable intervals. DM is an important NCD where primary and secondary preventions are of paramount importance. Similarly, other NCDs such as COPD and cancer also require various monitoring protocols. In this article, we review the current concepts in monitoring and prevention of major NCDs along with the recommendations from the scientific societies.