Evidence-based policy making for health promotion to reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases in Moldova

Florence Sécula
,
Séverine Erismann
,
Carolina Cerniciuc
,
Angel Chater
,
Lion Shabab
,
Fiona Glen

Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute
,
University of Basel
,
Swiss Development Cooperation's Healthy Life Project
,
University College London
,
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence
,
State University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Nicolae Testemiţanu"

Research Output: Contribution to journal Article Peer-review

Open access

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 1 No Poverty
SDG 3 Good Health and Well

Abstract

The Republic of Moldova faces several concurrent health challenges most notably an increase in chronic non-communicable diseases, spiralling health care costs and widening health inequalities. To accelerate progress in their resolution there is a need for new and innovative health promotion and behaviour change communication interventions. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Social Protection in collaboration with the newly created National Agency for Public Health held a conference on the occasion of the Moldovan National Day of Health Promotion on 14th March 2018 in which national and invited international experts exchanged their views on (1) best practice examples of behaviour change interventions, health promotion activities and lessons learned from the UK and elsewhere; and (2) possible ways forward for Moldova to implement cost-effective and evidence-based intersectoral health promotion programmes. The experts provided recommendations on implementing behaviour change interventions to reduce and prevent obesity; on the creation of a favourable tobacco control environment to reduce smoking prevalence; and on how physical activity programme design can benefit from health psychology research. All these strategies could foster health promotion activities and ultimately contribute to improving the health outcomes of the Moldovan population.