About this Research Topic

Background

Globally, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes, cancer, and respiratory diseases account for approximately 71% of deaths. NCDs disproportionately affect people in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) and cause the death of approximately 32 million people per year. Mental illness is another global burden that accounts for around 32.4% of years lived with disability and 13% of disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs).

Additionally, the current COVID-19 pandemic has severe repercussions for people with NCDs. Evidence suggests that NCDs such as hypertension and type 2 diabetes are found to be the more frequent co-morbidities with SARS-CoV-2 that require intensive care. However, there are still gaps of understanding regarding the impact of COVID-19 on major NCDs and the depth of evidence regarding an impactful solution to mitigate the burden of NCDs amid the COVID-19 situation.

The aim of this research topic is to generate evidence gathered both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic that includes conceptual, epidemiological, intervention, and policy papers to address the related issues of noncommunicable disease (hypertension, diabetes, CoPD, etc.) and mental health globally. The aims for the Topic Editors include:
• Showcasing an innovative approach for modern thinking of publishing research, particularly meeting the demand of disseminating new knowledge in the COVID-19 pandemic;
• Encouraging the writers to adopt a new way of presenting ideas, thinking critically about how the research evidence compares in pre-COVID-19 vs. post COVID-19 settings, useful to policymakers for adopting rapid solutions in tackling NCDs and mental health in COVID-19;
• Developing a historic database for the future researchers when adopting solutions during the ongoing or any future emergence of a new pathogen or health emergency globally, regionally, or locally.

The list of topics that are relevant to this Research Topic includes, but is not limited to, the following:
• Evidence on health and related issues around NCDs and mental health in the past decade (research data from 2010 onward);
• Document changes in the health issues and priorities in health care before and after the COVID-19 pandemic;
• Identify priorities that emerged following the demand created by the COVID-19 pandemic;
• Utilize credible evidence for developing public health solutions learning from the past and the present;
• Create a knowledge base for monitoring changes in health challenges and encouraging innovations for supporting the frontline public health workers tackling the health front in the next decade.

Manuscripts from different research designs including qualitative, quantitative, mixed methods, systematic review, and implementation science are welcomed. The Topic Editors will consider the following manuscript types: Original research, data report, brief research report, systematic review, and review article.

Keywords: mental health, noncommunicable disease, experience, COVID-19, research

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.

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