As noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) continue to rise in prevalence globally, they pose an increasingly significant threat to public health, accounting for 74% of deaths worldwide. This escalating burden underscores the critical need for nations to assess their public health capacities and devise strategic plans to combat these diseases effectively. Historically, many existing tools for managing NCDs have been developed adopting a top-down approach. This approach often lacks the granularity needed for tailored, country-specific planning.

Recognizing this gap, EMPHNET, in partnership with the Global Health System Strengthening Team within the United States Centers for Disease Control (US CDC) and the International Association of National Public Health Institutes (IANPHI), developed the Noncommunicable Disease Capacity Assessment and Planning (N-CAP) Process, serving as a vital initiative to assist ministries of health and other governmental and non-governmental stakeholders to assess, prioritize, and plan how to strengthen public health functions so that countries can more effectively respond to the NCD epidemic. One of the many successes of this collaboration was the publication of a manuscript titled “Addressing emerging public health threats: the Noncommunicable Disease Capacity Assessment and Planning (N-CAP) Process” in Frontiers in Public Health.

At the heart of the N-CAP Process is a structured approach that begins with a country-led commitment from the Ministry of Health. This first step sets the stage for the entire process to be implemented. The Stakeholder Mapping stage serves to identify key stakeholders from health ministries, public health sectors, and healthcare providers involved. These stakeholders are then engaged in a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) Workshop to analyze the current NCD landscape and identify critical areas for action. The insights garnered from this workshop inform the themes and focus of subsequent N-CAP Workshops. During these workshops stakeholders collaboratively assess and prioritize interventions, culminating in actionable and tailored strategies to effectively combat NCDs. This process aims not only to assess and plan but also to ensure that these plans are implemented to achieve reduced NCD morbidity and mortality, fostering a multisectoral coordination that leads to sustainable health outcomes.

By engaging a wide range of stakeholders and utilizing a structured approach, this process helps to identify and prioritize actions that strengthen public health functions and effectively combat NCDs. The end result is a detailed assessment and a prioritized action plan aimed at improving a country’s public health capabilities, with the execution of these plans resting with government bodies, particularly the Ministry of Health.

Lessons learned from the pilots in Jordan and Iraq demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the N-CAP process in enhancing NCD prevention and control efforts. Modifications made to the N-CAP materials and procedures after these pilots have improved its alignment with local needs and usability. For example, in Jordan, the necessity for earlier and ongoing engagement with the Ministry of Health emphasized the importance of involving key stakeholders from the planning stages to execution. In Iraq, the use of local facilitators who were familiar with the unique NCD landscape proved crucial for securing stakeholder buy-in and effectively leading the workshops. These lessons have been instrumental in refining the N-CAP process, ensuring it remains a valuable tool for ministries of health worldwide in their fight against NCDs.

By fostering a systematic and inclusive approach, the N-CAP process has demonstrated its potential to effectively address the escalating threat of NCDs. Through continued refinement and application, the N-CAP process will contribute significantly to the health and well-being of populations worldwide, marking a pivotal step forward in public health strategy development and implementation.