Summary:
The National Policy on Non-Communicable Diseases establishes a national framework to reduce non-communicable diseases.
Description:
The National Policy on Non-Communicable Diseases encourages healthy dietary choices to prevent non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and to improve nutrition for those already affected.
For this purpose, it sets out broad recommendations and legal principles to mitigate NCDs. It establishes a primary objective to reduce population exposure to modifiable risk factors. Consequently, the text focuses on health promotion and primary prevention.
The framework establishes an approach to empower individuals to make healthy choices. It directs the State to create supportive environments and strengthen community action. In addition, the document mandates the reorientation of health services to prioritize preventive education. Public authorities must develop personal skills across the population to reduce disease burdens. The policy also targets the socio-economic impact of non-communicable diseases. Therefore, it links optimal population nutrition directly to national development goals.
Regarding FULL objectives, the document advocates for including stricter regulations on labeling, promotion, sale, and advertisement of foods and beverages, particularly sugar-sweetened drinks, products high in saturated or trans fats, and foods high in salt.