Implementation of Iran’s National Plan on the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases and Their Risk Factors: A Scoping Review of the Evidence

Ozra  Tabatabaei-Malazy; Yosra Azizpour; Narges Rostamigooran; Maryam Ghiasipour; Mohammad Esmaeel Motlagh; Shadi Naderyan Feˈli; Samaneh Akbarpour; Haniye Sadat Sajadi

doi:10.18502/ijdl.v26i1.21332

Ozra Tabatabaei-Malazy Non-Communicable Diseases Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Population Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Yosra Azizpour Non-Communicable Diseases Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Population Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Narges Rostamigooran Community Based Participatory Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Maryam Ghiasipour Secretariat of Supreme Council of Health and Food Security, Ministry of Health and Health Education, Tehran, Iran.
Mohammad Esmaeel Motlagh Department of Pediatrics, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
Shadi Naderyan Feˈli Blood Transfusion Research Center, High Institute for Research and Education in Transfusion Medicine, Tehran, Iran
Samaneh Akbarpour Non-Communicable Diseases Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Population Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Haniye Sadat Sajadi Knowledge Utilization Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijdl.v26i1.21332

Keywords: Health policy, Health system, Policymaking, Monitoring and evaluation, Non-communicable diseases, Iran

Abstract

Background: National Document for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and Related Risk Factors, developed in 2015, serves as Iran’s roadmap for guiding health policies to manage NCDs. After a decade, assessing its implementation and progress is essential. We aimed to review and synthesize existing evidence on the implementation status of the document’s interventions, and identify facilitators, barriers, and strategies to enhance its execution.

Methods: Following the PRISMA-ScR 2020 checklist, a systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, SID databases, Google Scholar, organizational repositories, and reference lists of related studies in Persian and English. Research or review studies that evaluated at least one objective or intervention of the national document—using health or health system indicators in Iran—were included. Three researchers independently performed screening and data extraction. Data were analyzed narratively and organized into thematic categories.

Results: Overall, 78 studies, reports, and national documents were included. Implemented actions encompassed establishing committees, developing action plans, integrating services into the health system, revising standards, producing educational materials, launching registries, and signing multisectoral cooperation agreements. Facilitators included legal support, intersectoral collaboration capacities, service delivery structures, and community capabilities. Major challenges were deficiencies in the national document, limited resources, weak coordination, and external disruptions such as COVID-19 and sanctions. Recommended strategies emphasized strengthening cost-effective interventions, continuous monitoring, securing sustainable resources, improving service delivery models, and enhancing multi-sectoral approaches.

Conclusion: Successful implementation of NCD prevention and control policies requires evidence-informed policymaking, prioritization of cost-effective interventions, ongoing evaluation, and sustained managerial support.