The WHO STEPwise approach to surveillance (STEPS) is the WHO-recommended framework for NCD surveillance. We are building one common approach to defining core variables for surveys, surveillance and monitoring instruments. The goal is to achieve data comparability over time and between countries.

Surveillance cameras are video cameras used for the purpose of observing an area. They are often connected to a recording device or IP network, and may be watched by a security guard or law enforcement officer.

There are two primary types of disease surveillance: passive and active.

Disease surveillance is an ongoing process that involves the systematic collection, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of information regarding the occurrence of diseases in defined populations for public health action to reduce morbidity and mortality.

If the attack involved anthrax, for example, a syndromic surveillance system might detect a surge in influenza-like illness, thus, providing an early warning and a tool for monitoring an ongoing crisis.

The goal of the WHO global NCD surveillance strategy is to provide standard methods and tools to enable countries to build and strengthen their capac- ity to conduct surveillance. This process enables countries to use the collected data for decision-making.

Reducing the major risk factors for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) – tobacco use, physical inactivity, unhealthy diet and the harmful use of alcohol – is the focus of WHO’s work to prevent deaths from NCDs.

Tools by targets

1. Target 1: Reduce mortality from NCDs.
2. Target 2: Reduce harmful use of alcohol.
3. Target 3: Reduce prevalence of physical inactivity.
4. Target 4: Reduce salt intake.
5. Target 5: Reduce tobacco use.
6. Target 6: Reduce prevalence of raised blood pressure.
7. Target 7: Halt the rise in diabetes and obesity.

Reduce the major modifiable risk factors, such as tobacco use, harmful use of alcohol, unhealthy diets, and physical inactivity. Develop and implement effective legal frameworks. Orient health systems through people-centred health care and universal health coverage. Promote high-quality research and development.

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are usually caused by genetic or lifestyle factors. Four types of NCDs – cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases – account for almost two-thirds of all deaths globally, with 80 per cent of these occurring in low- and middle-income countries.

The rise of NCDs has been driven by primarily four major risk factors: tobacco use, physical inactivity, the harmful use of alcohol and unhealthy diets. The epidemic of NCDs poses devastating health consequences for individuals, families and communities, and threatens to overwhelm health systems.

A non-communicable disease (NCD) is a disease that is not transmissible directly from one person to another. NCDs include Parkinson’s disease, autoimmune diseases, strokes, most heart diseases, most cancers, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s disease, cataracts, and others.

Mental health conditions are one of the major groups of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) with crucial relevance in efforts to control and prevent NCDs. Mental health also has links to cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases and other NCDs.

The main types of NCD are cardiovascular diseases (such as heart attacks and stroke), cancers, chronic respiratory diseases (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma) and diabetes.

Asthma is not contagious. Its cause is still largely unknown, but researchers have determined that asthma can be caused by both hereditary and environmental factors. Just because you have a parent with asthma (or an allergy) does not mean you will have it, too.