'Implementability' matters: using implementation research steps to guide and support non-communicable disease national planning in low-income and middle-income countries. Issue 4 (13th April 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jackson-Morris, Angela Mary; Mutungi, Gerald; Maree, Ephantus; Waqanivalu, Temo; Marten, Robert; Nugent, Rachel
• Is Part Of: BMJ global health. Volume 7:Issue 4(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-04-13
• Subjects: Health policy; World health -- Periodicals; 362.105
• DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2021-008275
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2059-7908

Abstract

Abstract : The 'implementation gap' between national plans and successful implementation is a central theme in addressing non-communicable diseases (NCDs). It is a factor that has undermined Sustainable Development Goal 3.4, which aims to achieve a one-third reduction in premature mortality from four major NCDs by 2030. Responding to the potential of implementation research to support low-income and middle-income countries to effectively advance their strategies, we describe ways to make NCD plans more robust by including implementation steps. These steps are (1) choosing some (but not all) effective and cost-effective options; (2) tailoring interventions and their scale-up to national capacity; and (3) making the priorities implementable. We illustrate with examples from several countries.