How does the PHC approach address non-communicable diseases (NCDs)?

• A. Prevention, early detection, treatment, and integration with community-based actions
• B. Only hospital-based treatment
• C. Exclusive focus on curative care
• D. Only prevention with no follow-up

Answer: (A)

PHC addresses non-communicable diseases through a broad, continuous approach that combines prevention, early detection, treatment, and strong links with community-based actions. This means reducing risk factors like unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, tobacco use, and harmful alcohol consumption, while also ensuring people are screened early, receive timely care, and have ongoing management for chronic conditions. The integration with community actions supports people where they live, work, and learn, enhancing access, adherence, and follow-up across the health system.

This holistic pattern is essential because focusing only on hospital-based treatment misses the ongoing management and prevention that PHC emphasizes, and concentrating solely on curative care or on prevention without follow-up neglects the need for continuous, people-centered care in the community.