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Cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease and cancers account for 60% of all deaths worldwide, with an estimated 80% of these deaths occurring in low and middle income countries. The increase in the epidemic of non-communicable disease (NCD) in the developing countries is a result of the epidemiological transition, coupled with changes in diet and social environment, and the adoption of developed country lifestyles. According to the World Health Organization, lifestyle related chronic diseases in developing countries, particularly cardiovascular disease have placed a heavy burden on their health care systems (WHO 2002). Multiple studies examining and tackling the risk factors on NCDs have concluded that these conditions are largely preventable through the adoption of healthy diets, physical activity and non consumption of tobacco and alcohol. Building on the Adventist Health Study’s unique 50 plus years of research in lifestyle and plant based diets, this center will pioneer new knowledge and provide leadership for innovative, interdisciplinary, and multinational translational research collaborations aimed at reducing the risk, morbidity and mortality of unhealthy diet, physical activity, tobacco and alcohol use related NCDs for local and global constituents.
The Affordable Care Act has resulted in a complete paradigm shift where health care delivery and health systems are concerned. We are the only School of Public Health that offers an MBA in Health Care. We also have a global network of institutions that offer health care to populations in areas as different as Malawi is from South Korea. This time in history offers a unique opportunity for us to provide leadership in how health is conceptualized, delivered, evaluated and how health care professionals are educated from an institution that holds prevention and wholeness as its core, and unites all the health care professional schools on the same campus.
Evidence increasingly shows that cultivating a community’s resilience is critical to its ability to bounce back from the adverse effects of disasters. Research also shows that minority and vulnerable communities often utilize faith-based community resources to deal with health and economic challenges. In recent years, faith-based organizations have emerged as important settings for disaster preparedness, mitigation and response. The academic center for Community Resilience will provide leadership with emphasis on collaboration, capacity building, information sharing and community based stewardship that increases and strengthens the capacity of neighborhood organizations, especially faith-based ones, to work together in solving problems while at the same time generating essential social, economic and spiritual capital that can be invaluable during times of stress. As we look at the social determinants of health, the built environment and the role of communities in individual health conditions, we are purposefully engaging in research and practice opportunities that explore how we can strengthen a community’s ability to successfully face natural or man-made disasters, to be resilient and whole, healthy communities for healthy individuals.