Kenyan health advocate and global NCD researcher Ogweno Stephen has added yet another milestone to his growing body of work with the publication of a new scientific paper titled “Non-Communicable Diseases in Children: Systems-Based Approaches to Incorporating Nutrition into Medical Care.” The paper, published in Children (MDPI) as part of the Global Pediatric Health collection, represents an important contribution to the global conversation on childhood health, nutrition, and non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
As the Founder of Stowelink Foundation and a leading voice in global health, Ogweno Stephen continues to advocate strongly for the integration of NCD prevention into primary health systems—not only in Kenya, but across low- and middle-income countries. His role as a co-author alongside experts from institutions such as WHO, Columbia University, McMaster University and the International Agency for Research on Cancer demonstrates his growing influence in shaping child-health policy worldwide.
A Groundbreaking Paper on Childhood NCDs
The newly published paper highlights a sobering reality:
NCDs affect more than 2.1 billion children globally and cause nearly 1 million deaths every year. Poor nutrition—both undernutrition and unhealthy diets—significantly worsens outcomes, increases complications, and raises healthcare costs.
Key findings from the study include:
- Integrating nutrition into childhood NCD care improves survival, reduces treatment-related complications, and positively influences disease progression.
- Nutrition interventions in children with cancer, for example, have improved survival rates by up to 30%.
- Early nutrition care in hospitals is associated with a 36% reduction in per-patient costs, showing that good nutrition is not only lifesaving but also financially efficient.
- Despite these benefits, nutrition services remain largely inaccessible due to limited funding, workforce shortages, and inadequate professional training.
Why This Matters for Kenya and Africa
As a Kenyan health advocate, Ogweno Stephen has consistently emphasized that childhood NCDs especially obesity, diabetes, and hypertension—are rising sharply in Africa. Many children struggle with poor access to nutritious food, limited preventive services, and health systems ill-equipped to integrate nutrition into care.
This research provides a clear roadmap for policymakers:
embed nutrition into NCD care, invest in the nutrition workforce, and adopt multi-sectoral approaches to protect the next generation.
This publication builds on Ogweno’s growing portfolio of global research, following his BMJ Opinion piece on global obesity and his ongoing work with WHO, World Obesity Federation, NCD Alliance.
A Call for Action
The paper concludes that solving the childhood NCD crisis requires coordinated, multisectoral responses, including:
- Expanding the nutrition workforce
- Strengthening training for healthcare workers
- Establishing robust monitoring frameworks
- Leveraging digital health and innovation
- Investing sustainably in nutrition programs
For Ogweno Stephen, whose work in Kenya focuses on youth, technology, and community empowerment, this research reinforces a message he has championed for years:
nutrition must be treated as a core pillar of child health, not an optional add-on.
What This Means for Stowelink Foundation and Kenya
Stowelink Foundation continues to advance NCD awareness through programs like:
- NCDs 365 Campaign across 10 African countries
- School-based health games and digital apps
- Youth-led community screenings and literacy programs
This new publication strengthens the foundation’s evidence base and highlights its relevance in the global movement for child health.
Conclusion
This milestone underscores yet again why Ogweno Stephen is emerging as one of the most influential Kenyan health advocates of his generation. His lived experience, research contributions, and leadership across national and global platforms continue to shape the future of NCD prevention and child health.
As childhood NCDs rise globally, this work could not be more timely or more necessary.
Read the full paper here
STEPHEN OGWENO 
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