Iran outlines strategic goals for non-communicable disease control

Dr. Bagher Larijani, head of the Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Institute at Tehran University of Medical Sciences, has announced a new five-year national document aimed at reducing mortality and controlling non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Iran.

Reviewing past performance, Larijani noted that over the last decade, mortality from NCDs decreased by only 9 percent, falling short of the 25 percent target. He reported increases in several key indicators, including tobacco use, traffic accidents, alcohol consumption, obesity, blood pressure, and diabetes prevalence, with only a limited reduction in salt consumption.

The new strategic framework prioritizes five specific diseases and two major types of incidents, while also emphasizing mental health. Larijani noted that approximately 25 percent of the population faces mental health challenges. The five-year plan focuses on reducing mortality, improving mental health, increasing physical activity, reducing unhealthy food consumption, and controlling chronic conditions such as diabetes, cancer, and chronic lung diseases through inter-sectoral coordination and technological innovation.