The Case for Investment in Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases in Oman

This report results from Oman’s engagement in 2016 with the United Nations Inter-Agency Task Force on the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases which concluded with recommended actions to implement the United Nations Political Declaration on NCDs. Oman’s Ministry of Health then made it a priority to conduct the NCD investment case presented here, which provides evidence that NCDs reduce economic output and that Oman would benefit from investing in three intervention packages that reduce exposure to behavioural risk factors (tobacco use, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity). It also examines investments in key clinical interventions for the most prevalent NCDs – cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. The findings show that addressing NCDs is a matter of urgency to ensure significant social and economic returns.