The difficulty of mainstreaming a truly multi-sectorial approach should not be underestimated.
A multi-sectorial approach is more likely to be effective in achieving the desired results.
This should tackle both demand and supply side barriers using a multi-sectorial approach since the main barriers are outside the scope of the health sector.
Prevention of diabetes, especially adopting a multi-sectorial approach, should be further empowered by policy makers through promoting healthy lifestyles and specifically targeting child obesity.
In its guidelines to prevent child abuse, the WHO has stated that a multi-sectorial approach is needed to curtail violence against children (1).
Furthermore, it is essential to promote early and regular preventive dental visits among children through a primary healthcare approach, which uses appropriate technology, focuses on prevention, involves community efforts, and uses a multi-sectorial approach [ 25].
Childhood psychiatric disorders were significantly associated with malnutrition [ 24], rural residence, low education of fathers, and positive family history [ 11] which all need a multi-sectorial approach to address these neglected areas.
In this regard, we believe a concerted multi-sectorial approach is needed, including improving the availability of physical health infrastructure and human resources as well as addressing disparities in distribution.
However, in addition to efforts made at country level, in order to effectively tackle the burden of chronic disease, a multi-sectorial approach at both the international and national levels is critical.
The plan focuses on the importance of investing in the first 1,000 days to ensure that children develop to their full potential and emphasizes a multi-sectorial approach, involving governments, international organizations and advocates who will focus on six key solutions to achieve a number of goals and objectives.
A multi-sectorial approach at the international and national levels is key to achieving impact for chronic disease as has been demonstrated in successful communicable disease programmes such as for HIV and malaria [ 32, 33]. Figure 10 describes recommendations for responsible and relevant sectors in the fight against chronic disease.
