Community Health

NCD Impact

The Silent Epidemic

Non-communicable diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide, yet millions remain undiagnosed, untreated, or disconnected from care.

0M

lives lost to NCDs each year

Akomapa health professionals conducting a community NCD screening event

The Global Burden

Why NCDs Matter

Non-communicable diseases account for 74% of all deaths globally. Understanding the scale of this crisis is the first step toward meaningful action.

0 million

people killed by NCDs in 2021

0%

of NCD deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries

0 million

people died from an NCD before age 70 in 2021

Global NCD Deaths by Cause

Cardiovascular44%
Cancer23%
Chronic Respiratory10%
Diabetes5%
Other NCDs18%

Student-Led Impact

Why Students Matter

Students are not simply the leaders of tomorrow — they are partners in creating change today. Their energy, perspective, and commitment make them an essential force in the fight against NCDs.

Akomapa students collaborating during a community health education session

Workforce Development

Students gain hands-on clinical and community health experience, building the skilled workforce needed to address the NCD burden in underserved communities.

Community Connection

Students build trust with community members through sustained engagement, creating relationships that support long-term health behavior change and follow-up care.

Sustainable Impact

By training successive cohorts of student leaders, Akomapa creates a self-renewing pipeline of health professionals committed to community-centered NCD care.

Our Approach

The Akomapa Community Care Model

Our Community Learning & Care Hubs follow a five-stage model designed to address every dimension of the NCD challenge — from awareness to long-term evidence generation.

Prevention

Health education and community awareness campaigns help people understand NCD risk factors and take earlier action.

Screening

Accessible NCD screening at community hubs brings early detection closer to the people who need it most.

Referral

Patients identified with elevated risk are connected to healthcare facilities through established referral pathways.

Longitudinal Care

Follow-up visits, medication counseling, and ongoing management ensure patients stay connected to care over time.

Research

Data collected across all stages drives evidence generation, quality improvement, and innovation in NCD care delivery.

Data & Evidence

NCDs in Ghana and Beyond

Ghana faces a growing NCD burden that mirrors global trends. Understanding these numbers helps guide where Akomapa's community-based model can have the greatest impact.

NCD Deaths (% of all deaths)

Ghana43%
Global74%

Hypertension Prevalence

Ghana30%
Global26%

Diabetes Prevalence

Ghana6%
Global10%

NCD Risk: Insufficient Physical Activity

Ghana22%
Global28%

Community Impact

Our Impact So Far

Through community partnership and student leadership, Akomapa is making measurable progress in the fight against NCDs.

Health Impact

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Communities Reached

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Community Members Screened

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Referrals Completed

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Follow-ups Delivered

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Health Education Sessions

Leadership Impact

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Student Leaders Trained

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Faculty Mentors Engaged

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Academy Graduates

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Research Scholars Supported

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Countries Connected

Looking Ahead

Our 2028 Vision

Akomapa is building toward an ambitious future — scaling community-based NCD prevention, growing the next generation of ethical health leaders, and generating evidence that strengthens health systems across Ghana and beyond.

By 2028

50+

Communities Reached

By 2028

150,000+

Community Members Screened

By 2028

10,000+

Referrals Completed

By 2028

8,000+

Follow-ups Delivered

By 2028

500+

Health Education Sessions