Background: Tackling NONCOMMUNICABLE DISEASES ((NCDS)) and their multifaceted, complex risk factors requires identifying policy gaps and translation of successful experiences for each setting. As advocated by World Health Organization (WHO), reducing sugar, salt, and fat are among best buys for prevention and control of (NCDS). This article reports the status of existing policies to reduce the consumption of sugar, salt, and fat in Iran. Methods: We created a comprehensive repository of available policy documents about sugar, salt, and fat policies in Iran and conducted content analysis and interviews with relevant stakeholders. Then, we compared policies and their content with the WHO’ s best buys’ recommendations. Results: We categorized policies in 3 groups: red colour (no mention in the policy documents), amber (inspirational policy mention without action), and green (policy in operation). For example, regarding sugar, we found 8 policies in green, 1 in amber. Our matrix of policies on all 3 topics created a platform for further policy analysis and transferrable lessons to improve national actions towards 30% reduction of death due to (NCDS) in Iran. Conclusion: It has been globally recognized that beyond technical solutions to combat (NCDS), feasible and meaningful policy solutions must be created that are aligned with the political economy of each context. This necessitates learning from national, regional, and global experiences to manage the political economy of (NCDS)’ main determinants. To this end, our study provides a systematic and evidencebased framework, which may also be beneficial for other nations.

Dear Editor, Based on available data of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2008, NONCOMMUNICABLE DISEASES ((NCDS)), including cardiovascular DISEASES, cancers, diabetes mellitus, and chronic respiratory DISEASES are the leading causes of death in the world. 1 Of note, 80% of NCD deaths occur in low-and middle-income countries. Although 48% of NCD deaths were due to cardiovascular DISEASES globally, over 80% of cardiovascular and diabetes deaths occurred in low-and middle-income countries. It is also anticipated that NCD deaths increase by 15% globally by 2020, but by 20% in the WHO regions of Africa, South-East Asia, and the Eastern Mediterranean. 1 These alarming facts can be warning hints to decision makers to take more effective actions with finite health budget...

NONCOMMUNICABLE DISEASES ((NCDS)) also known as Chronic DISEASES are regarded as one of the main causes of mortality and exorbitant costs of household in Iran and the world. Few research studies have been conducted on the economic effects of these DISEASES on individuals and households in Iran. The main objective of this paper is to show the effects of these DISEASES on health expenditure, non-health consumption, labor income, as well as household transferred income in rural and urban households, which provide some coverage for high expenditures of chronic DISEASES. As the household income and expenditure data used in this study are censored and discontinuous the two-part Heckman and Tobit model (Heckit) was used for estimation. The obtained results show that the chronic DISEASES in urban households have a significant relationship with non-health consumption, and they directly affect the household welfare level and do not have any significant effect on other sectors. The results of rural data show that the expenditures of chronic DISEASES affects the level of health expenditure, non-health consumption, and labor income. Additionally, chronic DISEASES have a significant effect on transferred income neither in urban households nor in rural ones. The obtained results show that rural households are more affected by the chronic DISEASES expenditures than urban households and are more vulnerable to it. On the other hand, household income is a determinant variable in health expenditure both in urban and rural households. The results of this study have wide applicability for policymakers in financing programs for treating these DISEASES, as well as preventing them.