Are WHO “best buys” for non-communicable diseases effective in low-income and lower-middle-income countries? A systematic review

Abstract

The central plank of the global strategy to combat non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is a cluster of highly cost-effective interventions that WHO has dubbed “best buys”. These 24 interventions promoted by WHO include tobacco taxation, salt reduction, cervical screening, and aspirin. Although the greatest burden of NCDs is in low-income and lower-middle income countries, evidence for most of the best buys comes from high-income countries. We did a systematic review to assess evidence for the effectiveness of best buys in low-income and lower-middle-income countries (LLMICs), where the need for effective NCD interventions is greatest