About the series
Facing Forward is a series of 25 short films and 10 articles from around the world. The series seeks to raise awareness of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and highlight the stories of people who are living with NCDs across the globe, as well as those of the communities, institutions and private sector who are leading the way to prevent and control NCDs. The NCD Alliance encourage you to share this series and join the conversation using the hashtags #FacingForward #NCDs.
Understanding NCDs
Managing diabetes in a humanitarian crisis
As a Syrian refugee with type 2 diabetes, Abdel has to consistently manage his condition - despite shifting sands that saw him flee his home.
Faidha is living with type 2 diabetes in Tanzania. Faidha’s story is not unique; diabetes and other NCDs are on the rise in Tanzania and around the world.
Shining light on an invisible danger
Many people living with diabetes, like Musah, struggle without realising they have the condition, especially when services are not always accessible.
Giving children a chance: The new face of diabetes care in Guinea
Every child deserves a healthy and happy childhood. But for people like Bilkhissa who grew up with type 1 diabetes, limited access to services, poverty, and stigma can make this complicated.
A diabetes diagnosis leads to a series of journeys - not just that of the patient, but that of the insulin they need. Go behind the scenes and travel with us from a Danish factory to Ghana to learn more about the distribution of this well-known life saver.
Country-led innovations for treating childhood diabetes
The greatest rise in diabetes prevalence is projected to occur in Africa, but the continent spends the least on diabetes care as a proportion of global annual healthcare spending.
The simple solution to prevent mothers dying
As a community midwife, Sujata has from first-hand experience of the heightened health risks a pregnant woman faces - including developing non-communicable diseases like hypertension.
When small things can make a big difference in health
Your home address should not define your quality of life – but for Maria, managing multiple health issues in a rural Brazilian village miles from a health clinic, it does.
Back to basics: What are NCDs?
They are known as "the silent pandemic". They cause over 41 millions deaths a year. They disproportionately affect the world's poorest. But what actually are noncommunicable diseases?
A holistic approach to healthcare
In rural Malawi, brothers Manuel and Yamakani’s type 1 diabetes diagnoses hit their single-parent family hard.
How Tanzania is improving cancer outcomes for women
Diseases don’t discriminate and in Tanzania, breast and cervical cancer are the most common cancers affecting women today.
The NCD Alliance (NCDA) is a unique civil society network of 2,000 organisations in 170 countries, dedicated to improving NCD prevention
and control worldwide. Our network includes NCDA members, national and regional NCD alliances, scientific and professional associations,
and academic and research institutions. Together with strategic partners, including WHO, the UN and governments, NCDA is transforming
the global fight against NCDs.