About this Research Topic
The COVID-19 pandemic has yet again reinforced the need to ensure health and social equity. While health authorities globally are appropriately focusing their resources and efforts to contain the pandemic, there is concern that the shifting of health, social and economic priorities will have long-lasting detrimental effects on NCD risk, especially amongst the most vulnerable.
Although energy balance-related behaviors in relation to NCDs have been widely reported, most studies focus on cross-sectional study. The long-term effects of energy-balance related behavior in relation to NCDs have not been fully studied. The burden of NCDs is experienced very differently between and within populations due to inequities in the social determinants of health and wellbeing. Addressing these disparities is critical to reducing the burden of NCDs.
In addition, the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has and will continue to have impacts on risk factor development, screening, treatment and management. Therefore, novel and creative ideas to address social disparities in the current climate is critical to prevent and reduce the burden of NCDs. Our goal is to bring together researchers, public health professionals and clinicians devoted to preventing and managing NCDs, in particular during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Papers for this Research Topic are intended to answer the following research questions:
· How long-term or cumulative effects of energy-balance related behavior affect NCD prevention, development and management in diverse groups?
· How the current disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic to NCD prevention and control may be minimized, and what options to sustainably reduce NCD risk in all populations?
This Research Topic offers an opportunity to publish high-quality multidisciplinary research and reviews that focus on the impact of:
1) long-term and cumulative effects of energy-balance related behavior on NCD prevention and management, and
2) the current pandemic response on NCD risk factors (e.g. dietary consumption, sedentary behavior, substance misuse), access to screening and treatment, and monitoring of NCD burdens.
Manuscripts that highlight creative or novel suggestions to reducing inequity in risk factor development or access to care services are particularly welcome, as are those which highlight sustainable solutions for under-resourced or under-represented communities. Submission should be of broad interest and present research that helps to advance clinical practice or health policy.
Keywords: epidemiology, transition, physical activity, NCD, diet, nutrition
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.