Tackling noncommunicable diseases in Africa through football: The case of Malawi

There is evidence that physical inactivity and dietary factors are more common among modifiable risk for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) which on the rise in Malawi. Football has been shown to have a wide range of health-related benefits health education programs, including promotion activity as potential intervention addressing NCDs. In Malawi, few football-based programs implemented address Among were Federation Internationale de Association 11 Health initiative was school-based program youth Malawi Ministry Health's SPORTS FOR HEALTH targeting civil servants. These produced significant improvement participants also increased their knowledge both communicable However, these initiatives not rolled out many sites across As tackling rising cases NCDs, football can be used powerful tool promoting it provides an important platform delivery NCDs’ messages wider audience. Such must designed directly For successful implementation, there good collaboration Ministries Sports, local leagues, other stakeholders.