Youth have a right to health, but that is not adequately reflected in our societies and health systems. In fact, for cancer, diabetes, chronic lung disease, and cardiovascular diseases - so-called noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) - more than two-thirds of preventable adult deaths are associated with behavior that started in adolescence. Many young people are well aware of how drastically NCDs will affect their generation in the current system and have taken the challenge to change the discourse for a healthier global population. Yet, youth voices are often dismissed or tokenized in political conversations. This is despite the many examples of youth making positive change at all levels of society. This paper provides an overview of the challenges and emerging youth-driven actions to address NCDs at local, national, and global levels.

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Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the pattern and trends in the prevalence of self-reported diabetes mellitus among the elderly in India, 2004–2014. Research Design and Methods: The required data were extracted from National Sample Survey Organization's (NSSO) 60^th round in 2004 and 71^st round in 2014. Self-reported morbidity information of elderly with reference period of 15 days before the survey has been used for the analyses. From NSSO 2004, a total of 35,569 elderly persons were included in the study, and from NSSO 2014, a total of 28,397 elderly persons were included in the study. Age- and sex-standardized prevalence rate was calculated to make valid comparisons across two time periods. Results: The prevalence of self-reported diabetes has increased more among elderly males than among elderly females during 2004–2014.The increase in prevalence percentage is more among young old than the rest. There is a clear-cut rural–urban differential in the burden of diabetes in India. The eastern and southern regions of India marked a higher prevalence as well as increase in diabetes prevalence than the rest of the nation. Those with diabetes are also likely to be burdened by the existence of other chronic conditions such as heart disease and hypertension when compared to persons without diabetes. This burden is higher for women. Conclusion: The prevalence of self-reported diabetes appears to have increased and is higher among males. The apparent rural–urban and regional variations can be attributed to urbanization-induced lifestyle changes, increasing access to screening and treatment and reporting bias.

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Background: The Punjab state health administration has approached to Tata Memorial Centre (TMC), Mumbai, to tackle the cancer problem of the state and requested to provide the support in strengthening the cancer care services. To understand the magnitude of the cancer, population-based cancer registry at Sangrur was established in 2013. Objective: The objective of the study is to show that the population-based rural cancer registration is the way to develop the infrastructure for cancer treatment a model from Sangrur district, Punjab State, India. Methods: Population-based cancer registry staff has visited several hospitals and pathology laboratories, and also, they have interaction with the village leaders for cancer case registration. The cancer treatment facility was not available in the district. The registry has reported that for the cancer treatment, a patient from these areas travels to Patiala, Bhatinda, Faridkot, Ludhiana, Chandigarh, and New Delhi and to the neighboring state Rajasthan. It was felt that there is dire need of cancer treatment facility in the district. Based on the information provided by the rural cancer registry, the Government of Punjab and TMC have established Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital (HBCH), Sangrur. The hospital has started functioning since January 2015. Results: In the 2-year period (2013–2014), the cancer registry has registered 1735 cancer incidence cases (808 males and 927 females). The age-adjusted incidence rate for males was 46.7/100,000, and for females, it was 57.6/100,000. The rates of the rural area of Sangrur are in comparison with other rural registries. The cancer registry data were utilized in planning the cancer care services in the Sangrur district. Conclusion: Population-based cancer registry with cancer treatment facility and HBCH with mentoring at Sangrur district in Punjab state could be an ideal potential model for the establishing and augmenting of cancer care services in the rural population in India.

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Background: Suicide is a major public health concern worldwide. Sri Lanka has the fourth highest suicide rate in the world, with trends suggesting that underlying factors related to suicide risk remain poorly understood, and may differ from those observed in high-income countries (HICs). Aim: The purpose of this study was twofold: First, to update country-wide suicide trends from 2009 to 2015 among geographic regions (districts), and second, to evaluate the association between suicide rates and demographic factors, social determinants, health-care access, and hospital presentations due to psychiatric illness. Methods: National- and district-level suicide rates were calculated from 2009 to 2015 using data from the police statistics unit. These data were used in conjunction with sociodemographic and population health data from the 2012 Census to evaluate the interrelationships. Both correlational and regression statistical models were employed. Results: Population density (PD), access to health resources, and social determinants including poverty, education, and employment were found to be associated with suicide rates in a correlational model. However, with regression analysis, low PD was the sole significant predictor of suicide risk. This finding supports the suggestion that suicide is a significant concern in rural areas, particularly in Sri Lanka and other LMICs. We found only a weak association between psychiatric morbidity and suicide rates in this study. While this is counterintuitive, it is in keeping with other reports from LMICs. It is suggested that LMICs may need unique suicide prevention strategies distinct from suicide prevention models adopted in HICs. Conclusion: We found a positive association between rurality and suicide risk, and a weak association between psychiatric morbidity and suicide rate in Sri Lanka.

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Background: The medical and public health personnel, especially in low- and middle-income countries, are not adequately equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills required to curb the menace of tobacco epidemic. Therefore, this study aims to assess the effectiveness of a tobacco control workshop conducted for doctors, postgraduate medical and master of public health students with a view to possibly integrate tobacco course in medical and public health curricula. Methodology: The contents of the workshop were finalized after an extensive review by a panel of experts in the field of tobacco control in India. The participants of the workshop were provided training in a learner-centered mode by an expert panel of facilitators from varied backgrounds with ample of experience and expertise in the field of tobacco control. At the end of 5-day long workshop, the participant's knowledge, attitude, practice with respect to tobacco control, and contents and comfort of the workshop were assessed using a retro-pre questionnaire. Results: There was statistically significant improvement in the knowledge, attitude, and practice domains related to tobacco control. Around 40%–55% participants were able to appreciate that health-care personnel have a definite role in curbing the menace of tobacco epidemic. Around one-third of the participants felt that they would be able to enquire about tobacco use as part of history taking, counsel using 5A's strategy, and advice to quit tobacco. Nearly 80% participants appreciated the appropriateness of the contents of the workshop and almost all were satisfied with faculty–participants interaction and methods of delivering various concepts for tobacco control. Conclusion: Use of hands-on training with practical sessions, backed by structured modules can help in improving knowledge, attitude, and skills of the health professionals toward tobacco control.

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