Non-communicable disorders, at level 1, include neurological disorders at level 2; within the latter reside the individual headache disorders (migraine, TTH and MOH) at both levels 3 and 4. Future iterations of GBD may more logically group the headache disorders together at level 3, as we have done in the following analysis.
Other experts are invited for evaluation of non-communicable disorders, as needed.
Thirty-five ofthesethese 53 (66%) resettled refugees with chronic mental and non-communicable disorders received guideline-adherent treatment.
A mean eight separate diagnoses were recorded per respondent, typically representing non-communicable disorders which were often previously undiagnosed.
Innovative models including public-private partnerships, crowd funding, and emphasis on preventative services have been proposed for the management of other non-communicable disorders in refugee populations [ 10].
According to the World Health Organisation [ 19], roughly 60% of deaths within southern African countries are attributable to communicable diseases, whilst 30% are caused by non-communicable disorders.
By comparison, community-based surveys of non-communicable disorders in the region have relied on self-report, layperson interviewers, and usually lack diagnostic confirmation [ 11].
The relative importance of different causes of death has changed from acute infections in children to chronic non-communicable disorders in adults.
Older persons in increasing numbers experience non-communicable disorders of old age and are as a result of disintegration of the traditional social care system, experiencing relative isolation.
Dietary modification is widely recognised and promoted for the primary prevention of non-communicable disorders, such as cardiovascular disease (CVD), obesity and diabetes, yet has not been considered for the management of mental illness.
The burden of disease in South Africa is in the process of profound health transitions where communicable and non-communicable disorders coexist, and where chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer, chronic lung disease and depression are all predicted to increase substantially [ 17].
