Non Communicable Disease

Non Communicable Disease

2.1 Billion kids with non communicable disease

Non communicable diseases (NCDs) are a growing contributor to morbidity and mortality among children and adolescents worldwide. At the Margaret C. Ryan Global Health Program, pediatric specialists work with partners globally to strengthen the prevention, early identification, treatment, and long-term management of pediatric NCDs. Through clinical expertise, education and training, research, and health systems strengthening, we support locally driven approaches that improve access to quality care and build sustainable capacity to address conditions such as childhood cancer, diabetes, neurological and pulmonary diseases, and other chronic conditions. Our work aims to improve health outcomes for children and adolescents while strengthening systems to support their health and well-being throughout the life course.

Mission

Improving the health and well-being of children and adolescents living with or at risk of noncommunicable diseases.
The Margaret C. Ryan Global Health Program partners with clinicians, health systems, and communities around the world to strengthen the prevention, early identification, treatment, and long-term management of pediatric NCDs. Through clinical expertise, education and training, research, and health systems strengthening, we support locally driven solutions that expand access to quality care, build sustainable clinical capacity, and improve health outcomes across the life course.

‍Program Streams

Our NCD work focuses on strengthening pediatric and adolescent care across priority areas of chronic disease. Program streams bring together clinicalexpertise, education and training, research, and healthsystems strengtheningto address local needs and improve continuity and quality of care.
  • Pulmonology
  • Adolescent Health
  • Neurology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Oncology

Non Communicable Disease Projects

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Pediatric Oncology Nursing in Ghana

From 2020-2024, a specialized pediatric oncology curriculum developed by Ghanaian stakeholders and international partners was taught by Colleen Nixon and Kim Shephard to 29 nurses from 6 hospitals throughout Ghana.

Respiratory Health Capacity-Building and Advancing Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Diagnosis and Care in Kenya and East Africa

Since July 2024, BCH pulmonary team has been partnering with the Pan African Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Research Network, the Leo Project and the Caitlin O’Hara Community Health Clinic in Nanyuki, Kenya has strengthened respiratory care in Laikipia County through virtual education, QI methodology, clinical care, as well as hands-on training at the clinic, encompassing topics from respiratory distress and asthma to CF and QI methods.

Improving cystic fibrosis care in Jordan: Beyond the International Mentoring Training Initiative

Since 2023, our Boston Children’s Hospital led partnership has strengthened Jordan’s Cystic Fibrosis (CF) care infrastructure through multidisciplinary team creation, QI methodology education, data and research capacity building, advocacy to improve diagnosis, treatment and quality of life, as well as access to CF specific therapeutics to improve morbidity and mortality for people with CF.
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