People with underlying health conditions, such as noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and cancer, have a higher risk of severe COVID-19 disease, and more likely to die from COVID-19. Risk factors for NCDs can make people more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with COVID-19. For example, smokers may have reduced lung capacity which would greatly increase risk of serious illness.
Informing populations about these health risks posed by COVID-19 is critical. In addition, health services need to be adapted to maintain essential NCD services to ensure continuity of care during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Information and guidance are presented in this page to enable health providers and the public to be informed about COVID-19 and NCDs. While acting on the immediate task, we need to redouble our efforts to effectively address NCDs and their risk factors with a medium to long term vision.
The web is divided in sections, scroll down to see tools, resources for health managers and healthcare professional, resources for the public and communication materials. Sections on News, Stories and Events follows. Finnally, a collection of technical publications and documents is available at the end of the page, as well as another of communication materials. Use the "more" button to expand them.
