A Regional Approach to Implementation and Evaluation of Strategic Health Communication Campaigns to Support Non-Communicable Disease Prevention in Pacific Island Nations

In the Pacific region, the burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) is an immediate threat to Pacific Island countries. NCD related mortality and morbidity is rising at an alarming rate as a result of a combination of unhealthy lifestyles and environmental changes which have driven increased levels of physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, tobacco and alcohol use. In September 2011, the United Nations General Assembly held a high-level meeting on the Prevention and Control of NCDs to accelerate the implementation of global strategies to prevent NCDs and to influence greater investment in these strategies as part of global development. The UN agency resolutions highlight the urgent need for a regional, evidence based, best practice approach to communication programs for NCD prevention in the Pacific. Strategic Health Communication (SHC) has been identified as a priority for Pacific countries to support NCD prevention programs and protective behavioural changes. This paper seeks to explore the issues involved in leveraging strategic health communication campaigns in the Pacific.