Non-Communicable Diseases Challenges And Opportunities In Iran: A Qualitative Study

Background To reduce noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) morbidity and mortality, policymakers should focus on decreasing risk factors and ensuring equitable access to effective preventive and therapeutic care for acute and chronic NCDs.The primary objective of this study was to identify challenges and opportunities in health promotion for NCDs in Iran. Method The analysis included semistructured, in-depth interviews with 14 participants. The participants consisted of policymakers, planners, and experts with experience in the areas of obesity, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease management and control in Iran. The interviews were conducted over Skype; recorded, and transcribed verbatim. A deductive approch was used to extract codes and categories through open coding by reading the text and assigning related codes using MAXQDA 10 software. Results This qualitative study identified five primary categories and 14 subcategories related to the challenges and opportunities for addressing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Iran, closely aligned with the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion. The first category, Policy Levers for NCD Prevention, highlights the role of legislation and economic growth in shaping effective NCD prevention strategies. The second category, Creating Health-Promoting Environments, focuses on the need to strengthen physical and social infrastructure to support healthier lifestyles. The third category, Community Empowerment for Health, underscores the importance of building social capital and encouraging public participation to improve community-level health outcomes. The fourth category, Empowering Individuals for Health, stresses the necessity of enhancing health literacy and the quality of education to enable individuals to take control of their health. Finally, Transforming Healthcare for Better Health identifies the need for restructuring healthcare systems and eliminating conflicting interests to ensure more effective NCD prevention and management. These findings illustrate the complex landscape of NCD challenges in Iran while offering clear opportunities for intervention through policy, community engagement, individual empowerment, and healthcare system reform. Conclusion This study identified key areas for addressing NCDs in Iran. Findings highlights the importance of policy, environment, community, and healthcare system factors. A multi-faceted approach is crucial for effective NCD prevention and control.