Aiming to combine the strengths of the Indian and UK chronic disease research communities, both India and United Kingdom will soon start collaborative research in the field of chronic non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes and chronic obstructive lung disease. The proposed research programme will be relevant to the burden of chronic disease in both countries and in addition, outcomes should ideally be meaningful to a wider international audience.

The collaboration between the two countries is significant as it comes at a crucial time when the world is facing a new health crisis: a rapidly increasing epidemic of chronic disease which is no longer restricted to high income countries. Today four out of five deaths from these conditions are occurring in low and middle income countries and at younger ages. Chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease (CVD), stroke, diabetes and chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) became the principal causes of death and disability in the UK during the twentieth century and continue to present a huge health burden. With changing demography, i.e. economic development, urbanisation, nutrition transition etc, there is also now a growing epidemic of these diseases in the Indian population too.

To help address the causes of this epidemic, in November 2009 the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) and the UK Medical Research Council (MRC) had jointly hosted a workshop in New Delhi. Experts from India and the UK reviewed the current disease burden in their respective countries in cardiovascular disease, diabetes (especially the contribution of obesity and early-life under-nutrition in the aetiology of disease) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (in particular the role of smoking and indoor pollution in its development) together with the strengths, weaknesses and unmet needs of the existing research landscape in these areas. As a result of these discussions a number of research priorities were identified which form the basis of the joint research on chronic non-communicable diseases.

The studies should aim to enhance the understanding of how interventions might most effectively be implemented to achieve a positive health impact. The study will be done on the development of intervention strategies designed to impact on objectively measured lifestyle behaviours (diet, physical activity, tobacco use, indoor/workplace exposure to respiratory pollutants) and other modifiable risk factors. Studies may relate to child and/or adult populations. Studies should incorporate monitoring/evaluation of the effectiveness of these interventions in countering the development of chronic diseases, in particular diabetes, CVD, stroke and COPD (using standardised diagnostics).

It will evaluate the cost-effectiveness of interventions (as above) targeting high-risk individuals (for example diabetics, those with high blood pressure or those who are obese), versus family/community/population (public health) interventions and also the effectiveness of interventions delivered by community (non-healthcare) workers, for example, 1) delivery of healthy lifestyle information; 2) non-invasive assessment of risk; 3) disease management; 4) referrals to hospitals.

The studies will also evaluate the strategies to improve the affordability of and accessibility to, chronic care interventions for non-communicable diseases and will also evaluate the effectiveness of low-cost pharmaceutical interventions including “polypharmacy” for non-communicable diseases such as blood glucose-lowering therapies, secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease through better blood pressure control, low-dose theophylline for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Such studies might also address issues of adherence (any clinical trials undertaken should be conducted in accordance with the appropriate national guidelines and requirements).

Scientists working in a permanent position in a Medical College, Research Institute, or University, anywhere in the country including Government, Semi-Government and Registered bodies are eligible to participate in the research. Besides, scientists from non-governmental agencies and private organizations can also participate in the research if they provide documentary evidence of registration certificate for research with the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), Govt. of India.