Advancing Public Health Actions to Prevent and Control Chronic Disease in the U.S. Territories and Freely Associated States - Palau’s public health actions to prevent and control diabetes and associated chronic disease risk factors represent a collaborative effort within the Ministry of Health & Human Services (MHHS) and partnerships with government and non-government agencies. Guided by the chronic care model and adopting a whole-of-society and whole-of-government approach, these efforts aim to address non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and their risk factors through comprehensive prevention and control measures. The Tobacco (Prevention Unit) and the Diabetes (NCD Unit) Prevention Programs provide administrative support to the MHHS NCD Collaborative Team, which brings together clinical and public health partners to strengthen health systems. Both programs also serve as Secretariat that provide secretarial and organizational support to the National Coordinating Mechanism for NCDs, a multi-sectoral committee, to implement community-based chronic disease prevention and health promotion activities. Together, these stakeholders are responsible for executing the Palau NCD Strategic Plan 2025–2030 and related initiatives, including commitments outlined in this cooperative agreement. Key activities focus on evidence-based strategies targeting the lifestyle-related risk factors (tobacco and alcohol use, physical inactivity, and unhealthy diets), metabolic risk factors (hypertension, glucose, cholesterol), and major NCDs (heart disease and stroke, cancer, diabetes, and respiratory illnesses). These strategies emphasize strengthening surveillance and evaluation systems, advancing policy and environmental approaches, enhancing health systems, and fostering community-clinical linkages. Proposed activities under this competitive grant agreement include the ongoing use of qualitative and quantitative clinical and population-based data to inform and refine plans, educate policymakers, stakeholders, and the public, and support evidence-based decision- making. Efforts will also focus on developing and improving screening protocols, diagnosis, and early intervention processes, with an emphasis on clinical and lifestyle management. This includes establishing systems and resources for chronic disease prevention and control, such as tobacco cessation programs, initiatives promoting healthy eating and active living, and self- management programs for chronic conditions. Additionally, these efforts aim to facilitate the implementation of policies promoting healthy lifestyles and strengthen the role of community health workers and health educators in bridging clinical services and community resources. Through these coordinated efforts, Palau strives to build resilient health systems and healthier communities, advancing its commitment to reducing the burden of chronic diseases.
