Tobacco Control

Tobacco Control will be the primary focus of activities and the CPCR will endeavor to put up a comprehensive surveillance system that will adequately inform the health system and be used for country-level data acquisition and dissemination.

HIV/AIDS

The epidemiology of diseases in Zambia reflects the rising prevalence of HIV in Sub-Saharan Africa and the additional burden of increasing amount of chronic non communicable diseases among an aging workforce (Yach et al. 2004, WHO 2003). Indeed, there has been a deliberate shift in health care provision towards one of primary, prevention based care. Indeed strategies are being sought to facilitate initiatives that are based on the development of strategic and operational alliances that should address this growing burden of chronic diseases , both infectious and non infectious, in Zambia by broadening the scope, and aiming at improving the quality and promoting the utilization of sustainable primary health care (PHC) services at the individual, family and community levels.

Non Communicable Diseases

The importance of NCDs cannot be over emphasized as the major four, Cardiovascular Diseases, cancer, type 2 diabetes and chronic lung diseases are said to account for 59% of deaths annually and 46% of global burden of disease (double the number of deaths from infectious diseases (including HIV/AIDS, Malaria and TB), maternal and perinatal conditions and nutritional deficiencies combined). However, it is known that up to 80% of these premature deaths could be prevented by tackling just 3 of the risk factors tobacco use, lack of physical exercise and poor diet. 

Community Engagement

The CPCR will endeavor to support and conduct research that will improve the access, effectiveness and quality of primary health care services and effectively promote community engagement. The CPCR will further endeavor to translate research findings into a dynamic set of evidence-based guidelines that would result into action (Knowledge Translation).

Community Components will include behavioral change interventions such as a community based health education strategy that includes communicating key health messages via mass media programs, community empowerment to influence policy formulation, implementation and advocacy.