Chamarajanagar district is the southern most district in Karnataka at the tri-junction of three states. The government health services distributed are shown with respect to four forest areas

IMPACT NCD: Implementation research to strengthen NCDs continuum of care and Multi sectoral action in Chamarajanagar district.

Duration of project
(September 2022 to August 2025)

Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs), also known as chronic diseases. These conditions persist over an extended period and result from a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental, and behavioral factors. The primary types of NCDs include cardiovascular diseases (such as heart attacks and stroke), cancers, chronic respiratory diseases (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma), and diabetes. Modifiable behavioral risk factors, such as tobacco use, alcohol consumption, unhealthy diet, and physical inactivity, alongside non-modifiable risk factors like old age, gender, and family history, contribute to NCDs. These behavioral risk factors can lead to metabolic and physiological changes such as overweight/obesity, raised blood glucose, elevated blood pressure, and increased cholesterol levels.

The economic policy reforms in India, including liberalization, privatization, and globalization, have facilitated the infiltration of packed and unhealthy foods, tobacco products, and alcoholic beverages into rural areas. The rise in urbanization and lifestyle changes has further exacerbated the impact on NCDs. Between 1990 and 2016, there was a significant 25% increase (from 30% to 55%) in Daily Adjusted Life Year Loss (DALY) in India due to NCDs. The Institute of Public Health Bengaluru’s previous work in Towards Health Equity and Transformative Action on Tribal Health (THETA) and the National Family Health Survey 5 (2019 2020) revealed that approximately 28% of the population in Chamarajanagar district has hypertension, while around 15% have diabetes.

In response to this escalating burden of NCDs, the Government of India (GOI) has launched the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases, and Stroke (NPCDCS). It’s essential to recognize that not all behavioral risk factors are individual choices; many are deeply rooted in social determinants—social, cultural, political, economic, and environmental factors—that operate at the societal (macro) level and influence individuals. Policies and programs addressing NCDs are formulated and implemented at multiple levels, from global to local, with decisions made outside the health sector impacting the effectiveness of interventions.

1. Strengthen the capacity of the health system to effectively prevent, screen, diagnose, and manage NCDs.

  • Enhance the knowledge and skills of ASHA workers, and Health care workers on NCD prevention, screening, diagnosis, and management
  • Implement comprehensive NCD patient follow-up programs to ensure timely monitoring and treatment.

2. Sensatize police, local government elected members and officials,  teenage students (8th to 12th class), and tribal welfare department personnel in NCD prevention, multisectoral collaboration, and community mobilization.

3. To understand how institutional arrangements are conducive for “whom” under “what” conditions, could they work in reducing NCD’s behavioral risk factors at the grassroots level?

As part of this three-year initiative, all Primary Health Centres in Chamarajanagar district would be covered. The Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA), Community Health Officers (CHO), and health workers would be specially trained on prevention and continuum of care as per the NPCDCS and Ayushman Bharat guidelines. The patients would be handed over a follow-up booklet with detailed information on care. Elected members of gram-panchayat and staff will be sensitized on prevention, health services, laws and regulations, and community mobilization. All cadres of police will sensitize on Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (Prohibition of Advertisement and Regulation of Trade and Commerce, Production, Supply and Distribution) Act, 2003, on alcohol regulation and healthy diet. All Students studying in 8th to 12th standards would be sensitized on alcohol and tobacco abuse, they would also be guided on healthy food choices and an active lifestyle.

    1. Dr.Yogish C.B,  Principal investigator
    2. Dr.Kaushik.S, Research Officer
    3. Rangaswamy.S,  Technical Officer
    4. Niranjan.M Field staff
    5. Sahana.K Field worker
    6. Jyothimani R, Field Staff
    7. Jyothi, Field Staff
    8. Jadeya, Field Staff

    Department of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, Department of Health and Family Welfare, district police department, Department of Primary and Secondary Education, Department of Pre-University, Department of tribal welfare.

    Funding
    IMPACT NCD is Supported under the CSR initiative by Siemens Healthineers, India.