Question

Name and describe one ‘upstream’ , one 'midstream' and one 'downstream' chronic disease control policy / strategy /initiative for each of the main risk factors about smoking, nutrition, physical activity

Answer 1

Upstream, midstream, and downstream are used in the development of potential policies to minimize the risk of chronic diseases. These are used to improve the policies and to solve the identified problem.

• Upstream intervention that makes changes in a large proportion of the population. e.g increasing tobacco taxes to limit the use of tobacco among the large population. This will help in reducing the tobacco-related illness.
• Midstream intervention is the policy changes or change of behavior made within the organization. for e.g Implement of Employee based exercise program to make awareness of physical activity among the employees. Physical activity prevents obesity which is the ultimate risk factors for major chronic diseases. Thus it improves the overall health of the population.
• Downstream intervention is the approach of change of behavior at individual level. e.g Guidelines of Recommended Daily intake helps to ensure the intake of recommended nutrient on a daily basis. This will help the individual to be healthy and minimize the risk of nutrition-related chronic diseases.