The increased need for lifestyle interventions in dealing with noncommunicable diseases in South Africa

To the Editor: With over 54 000 reported deaths associated with COVID-19 in South Africa (SA), the strong link between non- communicable diseases (NCDs) and bad outcomes is well established. [1] NCDs are a pandemic in their own right. An inordinate amount of financial and human resources are being spent on this latter pandemic, yet in spite of advances in pharmaceuticals, technology and healthcare facilities, the incidence is rising unabated.[2] One aspect that receives far too little attention is prevention – dealing with the underlying causes. It is well recognised that NCDs are basically diseases of lifestyle behaviours.[3] Trying to manage these diseases by medical management alone is a bit like the proverbial vigorous mopping of the floor of the flooding room without turning off the running tap.