Identifying gaps in and roles of community health workers in improving the continnum of care for non-communicable diseases

This PhD project investigated gaps in screening, diagnosis, treatment and control of hypertension and diabetes in resource limited settings in south Asia. There are three major findings. First, there is a substantial burden of these conditions, with significant gaps in diagnosis leading to poor control. Second, while health facilities do not have the resources to manage hypertension, lifestyle counselling and monitoring by community health workers is effective in reducing blood pressure. Third, these improvements may not continue when patients are left to initiate their longer-term health care, so clinicians may be required to provide ongoing monitoring and support.