Executive Summary

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading causes of mortality. Four major risk factors cause this: tobacco use, harmful use and consumption of alcohol, physical inactivity, and unhealthy
In the area of prevention of injuries, ASEAN accounts for many Road Traffic Injuries (RTIs) and occupational Although ASEAN Member States (AMS) have shown their efforts in promoting road safety and occupational safety and health (OSH), innovative actions are needed to enforce road safety and OSH.
The Southeast Asia (SEA) region has a significant gap between treatment needs and mental healthcare availability. To address these, ASEAN acts as a market and a developer for mental health applications in treating the region’s mental
The ASEAN region faces the triple burden of malnutrition in which both the low and middle-income countries (LMICs) and the rapidly growing countries face the growing rise of overweight, micronutrient deficiencies, and the persistent prevalence of undernutrition.
Although vital actions have been taken to promote a healthy lifestyle, analysis shows that a ‘hit-and-run’ intervention and regulation without integrated multisectoral actionable frameworks are insufficient. Significant efforts are still required to implement systematic initiatives adjusted to the ever-changing conditions of risk factors contributing to NCDs.
Recommendations to support the implementation of possible actions include: (i) developing a sustainable funding mechanism; (ii) strengthening the capacity of health systems and healthcare personnel, especially those involving preventive actions in primary healthcare; (iii) building building community-based behavioural change initiatives to promote a healthy lifestyle; and (iv) enhancing surveillance system, monitoring, and evaluation process to support the development of effective and sustainable initiatives.

Introduction

Background, Objectives, Methodology, and Limitations

Promoting healthy lifestyle under the ASEAN Health Cluster 1 of the ASEAN Post-2015 Health Development Agenda (2021-2025) aims to achieve the health potential of the ASEAN Community through promoting healthy lifestyle and ensure healthy lives and promote well- being for all at all ages. It comprises seven health priorities: (i) prevention and control of non-communicable diseases; (ii) reduction of tobacco and consumption and harmful use of alcohol; (iii) prevention of injuries; (iv) promotion of occupational health; (v) promotion of mental health; (vi) promotion of healthy and active ageing; and (vii) promotion of good nutrition and healthy diet.

This trend report aims to portray the ASEAN region’s ability and response to promote a healthy lifestyle against the APHD 2021-2025 agenda. In the following chapters, an in-depth analysis of the existing condition in the region is provided, allowing for a deeper look into regional and national efforts such as significant milestones and regulations, challenges, gaps, and rooms for growth.

This report was written using various methodologies: content analysis, comparative or gap analysis, and descriptive analysis for quantitative data. Each method was used to compare and analyze secondary data to give perspectives on the phenomena in ASEAN and its member states.

We acknowledged several limitations in writing this Trend Report, such as unequal capacity and availability, wherein some data is available in several but not all AMS, and a few are outdated or incomplete. Therefore, this report’s internal validity and generalizability should be interpreted cautiously.

Results and Recommendations

Develop a Sustainable Funding Mechanism

Sustainable funding is defined as developing a robust mechanism to raise high revenues and to spend them more efficiently and equitably to support long-term programmes. As stated in the discussion above, improvements to health systems and the development of new initiatives, which require robust funding, are paramount to enhancing a healthy lifestyle promotion. Several key themes can be implemented to accelerate sustainable funding in low and middle-income countries, such as innovative actions through (i) conducting funding landscape analysis and scaling up joint funding mechanisms and multisectoral dialogue at national, regional, and global levels; (ii) enhancing technical and policy support to identify significant sources of inefficiency and priorities to be addressed, and develop demands for donor support through clear national health objectives; and (iii) mobilising domestic resources through public- private partnership and enabling people and communities’ voice.

Strengthen the Capacity of Health Systems and Healthcare Personnel (HCP), Especially Those Involving Preventive Actions in Primary Healthcare (PHC)

A robust healthcare system with capable HCP is one of the pillars supporting healthy lifestyle promotion and disease prevention in the ASEAN community. Therefore, feasibility studies and evaluation of existing health systems and HCP’s capability are paramount to strengthening healthcare services and implementing HCP training modules encompassing NCD preventive programmes, early detection mechanisms through screening, and clinical or community- based rehabilitation services for NCD, especially in PHC. Several initiatives to support these are (i) conducting joint training and workshop with other regions, countries, or organisations to enhance HCP’s competence in managing NCD, health emergencies, and more; (ii) facilitating effective multidisciplinary treatment through joint education and clinical decision support; and (iii) equipping PHC with a standardised number and type of HCP, updated modules to train HCP, adequate equipment and medicines, and digital reporting system to support health information system.

Build Community-based Behavioural Change Initiatives to Promote a Healthy Lifestyle

An effective healthy lifestyle promotion requires a holistic approach through community- based behavioural change programmes to ensure high community engagement and ownership of health, supporting the integration of new healthy behavior. The initiatives of this approach include: (i) enhancing community mobilisation through selecting and training community-based HCP in several rural areas; (ii) encouraging participation in disease and emergencies surveillance through smartphone applications; (iii) conducting setting-based (i.e., school and office) campaigns and workshops to educate on specific health issues; (iv) empowering community leaders to develop health development programmes in their areas, and (v) providing social protection through the availability of an extensive health insurance coverage, conditional cash transfer, and incentives for community and community-based HCP or volunteers.

Enhance Surveillance System, Monitoring, and Evaluation Process to Support the Development of Effective and Sustainable Initiatives

Advanced and interconnected surveillance systems and monitoring and evaluation mechanisms are paramount for effective funding management and cost-effective programme development. Regional and national bodies can implement surveillance systems to support a healthy lifestyle promotion, such as (i) collaboration with private sectors to integrate health applications involved in NCD control into the national health surveillance system; (ii) establishment of a harmonised Nutrition Surveillance System in ASEAN; (iii) traffic management surveillance through advanced ITS; (iv) regulate obligatory evaluation and reports of the occupational health system and status in workplaces across the country; and (v) development of a proper mental health surveillance system.