National Plan for Chronic Respiratory Diseases Prevention and Control in Iran

BACKGROUND: Lower respiratory tract infections, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), tuberculosis, and lung cancer are among the leading 10 causes of death worldwide. The Board of Respiratory Diseases Research Network (RDRN), a sub-committee of the Iranian Non-Communicable Diseases Committee (INCDC) is particularly concerned that there should be a coordinated National strategy to address the burden caused by chronic respiratory diseases. METHODS: Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MoHME) has decided to give promotion to the establishment of research networks and use them as the milestones for research management, particularly for the national health priorities. RESULTS: National Service Framework (NSF), which was designed for Chronic Respiratory Diseases, is one of the main outcomes of the chronic respiratory diseases sub-committee of INCDC. The main seven strategies were represented by the Steering Committee in 2010 for a period of 10 years. Successful development and implementation of our goals provide the CRDs sub-committee of INCDC with the opportunity to develop a paradigm to prevent chronic respiratory diseases. CONCLUSION: A stronger national plan for controlling chronic respiratory diseases will ensure stronger advocacy to support respiratory health at national, sub-national, and regional levels.