Abstract
Young individuals (below 35 years) comprise an estimated 60% of the global population. Not only are these individuals currently experiencing chronic, non-communicable diseases (NCDs), either living with or at risk for these conditions, but will also experience the long-term repercussions of the current NCD policy implementations. It is thus imperative that they meaningfully contribute to the global discourse and responses for NCDs at the local level. Here, we profile one example of meaningful engagement: the Young Professionals Chronic Disease Network (YPCDN). The YPCDN is a global online network that provides a platform for young professionals to deliberate new and innovative methods of approaching the NCD challenges facing our societies. We provide a case study of the 2-year experiences of a country chapter (Kenya) of the YPCDN to demonstrate the significance and impact of emerging leaders in addressing the new global health agenda of the 21st century.
Highlights
We provide a case study of the 2-year experiences of a country chapter (Kenya) of the Young Professionals Chronic Disease Network (YPCDN) to demonstrate the significance and impact of emerging leaders in addressing the new global health agenda of the 21st century
In this case study, we highlighted the experiences of a country chapter (Kenya) of YPCDN to demonstrate the significance and impact of emerging leaders in addressing non-communicable diseases (NCDs)
Of the global YPCDN chapters, the Kenyan chapter is currently the most active in an lowand middle-income countries (LMICs) setting. This is because of its catchment of a pool of energetic medical students, easy to have regular monthly meetings at the University of Nairobi [14]. It is the first in Africa, there are plans to set up more groups in LMICs and hopefully offer a comparison on how various developing countries address NCDs [14, 15]
Summary
Young individuals (below 35 years) comprise an estimated 60% of the global population Are these individuals currently experiencing chronic, non-communicable diseases (NCDs), either living with or at risk for these conditions, but will experience the long-term repercussions of the current NCD policy implementations. Non-communicable diseases (or NCDs, including diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases [CVD], cancers and chronic respiratory diseases) are the leading causes of death globally. Young people (B35 years of age) comprise the majority (up to 60%) of the world’s population [9, 10] They are accustomed to modern technologies, and offer innovative ideas and inspiring enthusiasm [11, 12]. They can contribute enormously to combating NCDs [11]
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