United States-Zambia Addressing Risk Factors for Non-Communicable Diseases (US-Zambia Risk NCD)

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Project Summary/Abstract The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study estimated that over 42 million people died globally from non- communicable diseases (NCDs) in 2019 and they are also of one the leading causes of disability. Africa has one of the highest burdens of NCDs and related disabilities and Zambia has one of the highest NCD burdens where it contributes to one in five premature deaths and up to 32% of all deaths annually. We propose a training program to develop Zambia’s capacity to recognize, measure, and to respond to the chronic health and economic consequences of major risk factors for NCDs. This program will be based on close collaboration between two institutions – the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health (GWSPH), USA and University of Zambia School of Public Health (UNZA-SPH), Zambia to respond to two critical gaps – lack of trained human resources and lack of data. The overall goal of the United States-Zambia Addressing Risk Factors for Non-Communicable Diseases in Zambia (US-Zambia Risk-NCD) program is to strengthen research capacity on the long-term health and economic consequences of major risk factors for NCDs across the lifespan in Zambia through an innovative model of sustainable capacity development. Our model will use US expertise to strengthen a Zambian institution, promote a sustainable research enterprise focused on major risk factors for NCDs and enable dissemination of research to influence policy in Zambia through the following specific aims. Specific Aim 1: To develop a core group of researchers focused on major risk factors for NCDs at UNZA. We will offer (1) a long-term training program for trainees from UNZA within the Master of Public Health (MPH) and Master of Medicine (MMed) degrees at UNZA; (2) short-term training workshops at UNZA- SPH including both basic and advanced components each year; and (3) online courses and webinars from GWSPH on key priority topics in measuring the long-term health and economic consequences of risk factors on NCDs. Specific Aim 2: To promote research around key national priorities for NCDs and risk factors in Zambia. We will work with trainees to conduct research around three domains: (1) development and use of national databases relevant to the use, consumption and impact of major NCD risk factors; (2) evaluation of gender impact on NCDs in Zambia to understand how risk factors for NCDs differ between and among different genders; and (3) advance implementation research to support identification of locally relevant, effective policies and interventions for NCDs and their risk factors. Specific Aim 3: To develop NCD risk factor “Research to Policy (RTP Forum” in Zambia. We will co-host an RTP Symposium in collaboration with the Zambian Ministry of Health for an annual research-to-policy dialogue on risk factors and NCDs. Specific Aim 4: To create a formal research unit on NCDs and risk factors in Zambia. We will work on complementing individual training by working with UNZA to establish a dedicated research unit that provides a home for faculty across UNZA and enhances sustainability of our efforts.