Non-communicable diseases challenges and opportunities in Iran: a qualitative study

Abstract Policymakers should focus on reducing risk factors and ensuring equitable access to preventive and therapeutic care for NCDs. This study aimed to identify health promotion challenges and opportunities for NCDs in Iran. This qualitative study involved semistructured interviews with 14 partic...

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Main Authors: Zahra Torabi, Elham Shakibazadeh, Maryam Tajvar, Negar Rezaei
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-03-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-92897-7
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author Zahra Torabi
Elham Shakibazadeh
Maryam Tajvar
Negar Rezaei
author_facet Zahra Torabi
Elham Shakibazadeh
Maryam Tajvar
Negar Rezaei
author_sort Zahra Torabi
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Policymakers should focus on reducing risk factors and ensuring equitable access to preventive and therapeutic care for NCDs. This study aimed to identify health promotion challenges and opportunities for NCDs in Iran. This qualitative study involved semistructured interviews with 14 participants, including policymakers and experts in obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease management in Iran. Interviews were conducted via Skype, recorded, and transcribed. A deductive approach was applied to extract codes using MAXQDA 10 through open coding. Qualitative analysis identified five main categories and 14 subcategories of challenges and opportunities for addressing NCDs in Iran, aligned with the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion; policy levers for NCD prevention, including legislation and economic growth creating health-promoting environments, focusing on strengthening physical and social infrastructure community and Individual empowerment for health, focusing on social capital development, public participation, improving the quality of education, and promoting health literacy and transforming Healthcare for better health, organizing health systems and eliminating conflicting interests. The critical important of policies, environmental determinants, community involvement, and healthcare frameworks was highlighted. A holistic approach is essential for the effective prevention and management of NCDs.
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spelling doaj-art-71be04b354024e4d9edf95fa1a8e12f42025-08-20T03:01:54ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-03-011511910.1038/s41598-025-92897-7Non-communicable diseases challenges and opportunities in Iran: a qualitative studyZahra Torabi0Elham Shakibazadeh1Maryam Tajvar2Negar Rezaei3Department of Health Education and Promotion, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Health Education and Promotion, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Health Management and, Policy and Economic, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical SciencesNoncommunicable Diseases Research centre, Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical SciencesAbstract Policymakers should focus on reducing risk factors and ensuring equitable access to preventive and therapeutic care for NCDs. This study aimed to identify health promotion challenges and opportunities for NCDs in Iran. This qualitative study involved semistructured interviews with 14 participants, including policymakers and experts in obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease management in Iran. Interviews were conducted via Skype, recorded, and transcribed. A deductive approach was applied to extract codes using MAXQDA 10 through open coding. Qualitative analysis identified five main categories and 14 subcategories of challenges and opportunities for addressing NCDs in Iran, aligned with the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion; policy levers for NCD prevention, including legislation and economic growth creating health-promoting environments, focusing on strengthening physical and social infrastructure community and Individual empowerment for health, focusing on social capital development, public participation, improving the quality of education, and promoting health literacy and transforming Healthcare for better health, organizing health systems and eliminating conflicting interests. The critical important of policies, environmental determinants, community involvement, and healthcare frameworks was highlighted. A holistic approach is essential for the effective prevention and management of NCDs.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-92897-7Qualitative studiesNCDsPolicyHealth promotion strategies
spellingShingle Zahra Torabi
Elham Shakibazadeh
Maryam Tajvar
Negar Rezaei
Non-communicable diseases challenges and opportunities in Iran: a qualitative study
Scientific Reports
Qualitative studies
NCDs
Policy
Health promotion strategies
title Non-communicable diseases challenges and opportunities in Iran: a qualitative study
title_full Non-communicable diseases challenges and opportunities in Iran: a qualitative study
title_fullStr Non-communicable diseases challenges and opportunities in Iran: a qualitative study
title_full_unstemmed Non-communicable diseases challenges and opportunities in Iran: a qualitative study
title_short Non-communicable diseases challenges and opportunities in Iran: a qualitative study
title_sort non communicable diseases challenges and opportunities in iran a qualitative study
topic Qualitative studies
NCDs
Policy
Health promotion strategies
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-92897-7
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