Understanding Health Promotion, Prevention, and the Treatment of Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease in Kerala, India

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Heart disease and diabetes are leading causes of death, morbidity, and disability in Kerala, India. In developing countries, the burden of lifestyle disease affects young and middle-aged adults, therefore constraining livelihoods, long-term health, and economic development. Thus far the private sector has led responses to chronic illness. However approaches have focused on treatment rather than effective prevention and management of diagnosed conditions, thus increasing the social and economic burden of lifestyle diseases. This study will examine how the structural context of health care markets, clinical contexts of disease management, and local health beliefs and behaviours are shaping attitudes and behaviours towards health promotion and the management of chronic illness. This is the first study in India to address the medical and cultural context of chronic illness that through publication and wider dissemination strategies this research will help to inform health policy on the development of culturally and economically appropriate responses to reduce chronic morbidity and to promote healthy lifestyles. The research will therefore address this leading public health priority set out in the World Health Assembly, Action Plan 2008-2013 - ‘Global Strategy for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases.‘