Early detection makes good economic sense

Multiple studies indicate that investments in early detection and diagnosis can pay off by reducing the need for more expensive treatment later on. Health professionals stress that early diagnosis that leads to early intervention changes the course of many NCDs. They also assert that many diagnostic tools can be simple and cost-effective. For example, as the use of digital diagnostics expands, health professionals say these systems and tools can produce valuable data to guide future medical decision-making and further reduce healthcare costs.

Health professionals also point out that many diagnostic roles do not require doctors, but rather can be played by community-level health workers with basic training. Simple point-of-care devices, when available, can facilitate early diagnosis while reducing costs.

“We need simple point-of-care devices for early diagnosis. That’s one area we need to work on. We need to simplify the diagnostic test.”

— Dorairaj Prabhakaran,

Professor of Chronic Disease Epidemiology

 Public Health Foundation of India

“It helps to make the population be aware [of NCDs]. If they are more aware, then the next step is providing diagnostic facilities. Enabling diagnostic facilities close to their communities is important.”

— Mengesha Admassu, Commissioner

Ethiopia NCDI Poverty Commission

98%

of survey respondents believe early detection of NCDs is a good economic investment because it can reduce the need for more expensive interventions.

Examples from survey respondents where investments in early detection have reduced the need for more expensive treatment and yielded positive health impacts:

In India, a cervical cancer detection pilot in densely populated low-income localities increased awareness of cancer risk and symptoms and taught women how to perform physical self-examination.

In Kenya, national and county governments joined to invest in cancer screening equipment and training of specialist health professionals, establishing referral hospitals across the country. 

In Guatemala, strong campaigns endorsing the prevention and early detection of cancer and diabetes reduced the burden on the local healthcare system and economic stress on low- and middle-income families.