April-June 2009 the AsiAn JournAl of diAbetology  Vol. 11, no. 2 9 C liniCal R eview Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases Role of Family Physicians in Improving Compliance to Lifestyle Modiication Abstract Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes and cardiovascular disease have already overtaken communicable diseases in terms of mortality and morbidity in India. NCDs thus pose a serious economic threat to developing countries and can have a marked impact on the quality-of-life of affected individuals. In the management of NCDs like diabetes or hypertension, lifestyle (i.e.: nondrug) measures are of paramount importance for therapy to be successful. These nondrug measures include decreasing physical inactivity, eating a healthy diet, stress management, avoidance of tobacco products, moderation in alcohol intake and most importantly increased awareness about the condition. In India, as in most parts of the world, patients usually tend to consult their Family Physician (FP) irst. Although most FPs are aware of the beneits of nondrug measures, they seldom spent time on assessing patient’s physical activity, diet and stress levels or even educating the patient about the same. H Ranjani, V Mohan Address for correspondence Dr V Mohan Chairman and Chief of Diabetes Research Madras Diabetes Research Foundation and Dr Mohan’s Diabetes Specialities Centre WHO Collaborating Centre For Noncommunicable Diseases Prevention and Control 4, Conran Smith Road Gopalapuram, Chennai - 600 086 E-mail: drmohans@vsnl.net This paper reviews and discusses different means by which the FPs can improve patient compliance to nondrug measures in the prevention and control of NCDs. Introduction A recent World Health Organization (WHO) document states that 388 million people globally, will die from noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) diseases like diabetes and heart disease in the next decade. 1 It is also estimated that approximately 246 million people, or 5.9%, in the age group 29-79 have diabetes worldwide in 2007 of which 80% would be living in developing countries. 2 Today, India is already home to over 40 million people with diabetes and this number is expected to increase to 70 million by 2025 and therefore India is referred to as the “diabetic capital” of the world. 3 The World Health Report also states that elevated blood pressure alone would contribute to 50% of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) worldwide. 1 The prevalence of obesity, which is one of the main contributors to insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome, is also predicted to increase by 89% in men and 82% in women between 2002 and 2010. 4 From the above statistics it is clear that NCDs pose a serious economic threat and that they can have a marked impact on the quality-of-life of affected individuals. In India, as in most parts of the world, patients usually tend to consult their FPs irst. The reason behind this could be the comfort levels they share with a FP who The National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education states that diabetes education results in more informed choices and encouraging changes in behavior that in turn improves clinical outcomes.