Description
Background
In Kenya, inequities in noncommunicable disease (NCD) prevention and management disproportionately affect the poor, rural communities, women, youth, and other marginalized populations. Addressing these disparities requires both national-level policy action and county-specific strategies tailored to local health system contexts. To respond to this need, NCD Alliance Kenya, in collaboration with the National NCD Equity Expert Advisory Group, developed the first National NCD Health Equity Assessment Report to inform advocacy, program planning, and resource allocation.
Objective
To assess the status of NCD health equity in Kenya and generate evidence-based insights to guide advocacy, policy formulation, and resource allocation towards reducing inequities in NCD prevention and management.
Methods
An inclusive National NCD Experts Advisory Group, comprising persons living with NCDs, government representatives, CSOs, academia, and humanitarian actors, guided the assessment. A qualitative design was employed, combining a desk review of national and county policies and literature with 17 key informant interviews, two in-depth interviews with national experts, and six focus group discussions. Data were analyzed thematically, ensuring that the perspectives of persons living with NCDs informed the findings.
Results
The assessment identified disability, socioeconomic status, geographic location, age, gender, and health system barriers as key drivers of NCD health inequity. While equity is referenced in several policy documents, major gaps remain in governance structures and implementation. The limited availability of NCD-specific data restricts effective monitoring and planning, while low prioritization and inadequate budget allocation hinder progress. Findings further highlighted that applying a rights-based approach to NCD care is critical to advancing equity.
Conclusion
The study underscores that achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) requires systematic application of an equity lens in policy and service delivery. Strengthening multi-sectoral collaboration, increasing prioritisation and budgetary allocation, and fostering community-driven solutions are essential for advancing NCD health equity in Kenya.
Keywords: NCD equity, advocacy.
| Country | Kenya |
|---|---|
| Organization | Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) |
| Position | Program Officer |
| Received a Grant? | No |
