Welcome to the Peace Corps' Non-Communicable Diseases. This toolkit was created by Peace Corps Staff in response to the rapid and increasing prevalence and impact of NCDs across the world. Per the World Health Organization, NCDs are the world’s number one killer, causing 60% of all deaths globally. A staggering 35 million people die every year from these silent killers.

Please note that the NCD Alliance (www.ncdalliance.org) is a great resource for background information on the NCD problem worldwide, including it's impact on women. The Alliance highlights the fact that the costs of NCDs to families and societies are high and escalating, in terms of healthcare and lost productivity. NCDs have been identified as a global risk, and one of the most important threats to businesses and economies (World Economic Forum 2010). Thus NCDs contribute to poverty, constitute a barrier to economic development, and are a serious threat to the achievement of the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
 
Experts note that the four main NCDs (cancer, cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes) are costly, but largely preventable. Such things as tobacco use and obesity are becoming increasing problems in low-income countries.
 
We welcome and encourage use of the toolkit by Peace Corps Volunteers and staff globally.  We have designed this toolkit so we can share resources developed by outside agencies and Peace Corps. More and more Volunteers are working with health providers, communities and youth, to promote healthy lifestyles and prevention, support information needs, and assist patients with the management of chronic diseases. The toolkit provides key technical material and tools to assist them with this work. 

To access the resources identified please choose from category tabs across the top of the page:

These technical documents will be useful to Volunteers promoting cardiovascular health, seeking information on Cancer and for those who are attempting to integrate work with the Disabled into their programming. 
It covers topics addressing common chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma and HIV/AIDS. Materials include information on prevention, management and control of these chronic diseases, particularly as it relates to diet, exercise and related medications.
Tools for Volunteers trying to address heavy and binge drinking, as well as excessive use of tobacco or drugs. The toolkit includes creative programs, manuals and technical information that will help Volunteers who are undertaking activities with youth, men and communities, to address these issues. 
Healthy Lifestyles and Prevention This toolkit covers two key areas, that of diet and exercise. The toolkit includes a few materials that may be useful for Volunteers working with youth and community groups.
  
Peace Corps Toolkits
Food Security
HIV/AIDS Toolkit
Social and Behavior Change
Improved Stoves and Ovens
Malaria
Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health
Nutrition
Sexual and Reproductive Health /toolkits/pc-rsh
Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene
Women In Development/ Gender And Development
Neglected Tropical Diseases /toolkits/pc-NTD
 
We also invite you to contribute by suggesting resources to include and posting your comments and feedback on the discussion board.

 

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