Addressing Non-Communicable Diseases Across the Life Course: Social Determinants, Prevention, and Systems-Based Innovations

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of mortality among women globally, accounting for a substantial proportion of premature deaths, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Many NCDs affect women differently due to biological, hormonal, and social determinants. Risks emerge and accumulate across the entire life course - from birth through adolescence and the reproductive years, through menopause, and into older age. Conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome, gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, and early-life malnutrition, ambient environment and lifestyle significantly shape later life NCD trajectories.Despite this, NCDs in women remain largely under-diagnosed, under-treated, and under-researched, especially outside reproductive health contexts. A life-course and gender-responsive framework is therefore essential to advance prevention, early detection, and equitable management of NCDs among women worldwide. Addressing these gaps in a woman’s life course is essential for designing equitable, effective prevention and treatment strategies that reflect the lived realities of women across diverse geographic, cultural, and socioeconomic contexts.This Research Topic aims to advance global understanding of NCDs in women through a life-course and equity-focused lens. It seeks to illuminate how biological transitions (including puberty, pregnancy, and menopause) interact with sociocultural norms, economic conditions, and health system factors to shape NCD risk, progression, and outcomes. The Research Topic will prioritize research that integrates prevention, early screening, multi-morbidity management, and health systems strengthening and digital innovations, particularly in resource-constrained settings.The Research Topic also aims to bridge clinical medicine, public health, and implementation science. Special emphasis will be placed on addressing disparities in access to care, and disparities in NCD burden affecting marginalized populations. The Research Topic seeks to support progress toward SDG 3 and universal health coverage through evidence-based, gender-responsive NCD strategiesThe Research Topic welcomes original research, systematic reviews, policy analyses, implementation studies, and methodological papers addressing the following (but not limited to) issues in women:• Social determinants of NCDs• Prevention and screening strategies for NCDs across the life course• Health systems and implementation science approaches for NCDs• Digital and community-based NCD interventions• Life-course epidemiology and longitudinal studiesBoth quantitative and qualitative methodologies are acceptable, provided they demonstrate methodological rigour and full ethical compliance. Topic editors: Manju Rani, Meely Panda, NITIKA SHARMA Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/78760/addressing-non-communicable-diseases-across-the-life-course-social-determinants-prevention-and-systems-based-innovations