Overview

In response to the exponential growth of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), multi-morbidity and the related demographic changes, health systems need to leapfrog the implementation of NCD-relevant core population interventions (tobacco, alcohol, nutrition and physical activity) and individual services (early detection and management of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, lung diseases and cancer). This article describes four essential strategies to leapfrog NCD core services in primary care. These strategies are: 1) the creation of larger scale multidisciplinary team-based services with a different mix of professionals, 2) pro-active population health management, 3) goal-oriented care, and 4) coordinated and integrated service delivery.