Bridging the Gap: How Private Sector Collaboration Can Combat Noncommunicable Diseases

This article explores WHO's Decision-making tool designed to guide governments in engaging with private sector entities for the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Highlighting the necessity of multisectoral collaboration, it details the tool's phased approach and core principles aimed at ensuring credible, transparent, and beneficial engagements, especially for low- and middle-income countries.

In a world grappling with the pervasive impacts of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), the World Health Organization (WHO) has introduced a comprehensive Decision-making tool aimed at guiding governments in making informed decisions about engaging with private sector entities. The report "Supporting Member States in Reaching Informed Decision-making on Engaging with Private Sector Entities for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases" showcases a valuable tool that serves as a guiding light for countries aiming to cut premature deaths from NCDs by one-third by 2030, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) target 3.4.

The Growing Challenge of NCDs

Noncommunicable diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer are responsible for a staggering 74% of global deaths, with a disproportionate impact on low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Despite numerous efforts and some progress, the pace of change remains slow, and the current policies and regulations are often inadequate to meet the SDG target. Recognizing this, WHO underscores the necessity of a multisectoral approach, bringing together public health sectors, civil society, academia, and importantly, the private sector.

A Practical Tool for Informed Decision-Making

To address these challenges, WHO developed a Decision-making tool designed to assist Member States in evaluating and engaging with private sector entities. This tool is structured around three core principles that ensure the engagements are credible, transparent, and beneficial to public health. These principles are:

Sustainable and Responsible Practices: Ensuring that private sector entities comply with international standards and demonstrate responsible corporate behaviors that respect human rights, labor rights, environmental standards, and anti-corruption practices.

Added Value to the NCD Response: Engagements should bring additional value to public health initiatives, leveraging the private sector's expertise, resources, and innovation capabilities to support NCD goals.

Accountable and Transparent Governance: All engagements must be anchored in a framework of accountability and transparency, with clearly defined roles, responsibilities, and measurable outcomes.

Phased Approach to Engagement

The Decision-making tool outlines a phased approach to guide governments through assessing, analyzing, and deciding on potential engagements with the private sector. Each phase consists of several steps, each with specific questions and criteria to ensure thorough evaluation.

Phase I: Assess

1. Define NCD challenges and context-specific factors.
2. Identify the purpose of the engagement.
3. Map potential private sector entities.
4. Select the most appropriate type of engagement.
5. Assess the local environment for engagement.

Phase II: Analyze

6. Conduct due diligence and risk assessment on the prospective private sector entity.

7. Assess potential risks related to the engagement.

8. Develop risk mitigation strategies.

Phase III: Decide

9. Develop a risk management plan.

10. Decide on proceeding or declining the engagement.

This structured approach is designed to ensure that engagements are aligned with public health goals and that the risks are adequately managed.

Beyond Traditional Boundaries

The tool also emphasizes the importance of cross-sector collaboration and interdepartmental dialogue within governments. It encourages engaging with NGOs and academic institutions to provide a comprehensive approach to decision-making. This inclusive strategy aims to strengthen national capacities, especially in LMICs, where resources are often limited and the burden of NCDs is high.

Looking Ahead

As nations continue to battle the growing burden of NCDs, WHO’s Decision-making tool provides a much-needed framework for leveraging private sector contributions. By prioritizing informed decision-making and fostering collaborative efforts, countries can better navigate the complexities of NCD prevention and control, ensuring that public health remains at the forefront of these engagements.