https://smilebuildersinitiative.org/journal/Articles, opinion pieces, research and the monthly NCD Watch from SmileBuilders Initiative.en-nghttps://smilebuildersinitiative.org/journal/before-the-stroke-when-hypertension-becomes-a-roadblock/https://smilebuildersinitiative.org/journal/before-the-stroke-when-hypertension-becomes-a-roadblock/Sat, 10 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTOpinion PiecesNweke Somtochukwu PaulaHypertension can stay silent for years before a stroke. Nweke Somtochukwu Paula explains the damage it does and why early detection and follow-up matter.https://smilebuildersinitiative.org/journal/world-stroke-day-2025/https://smilebuildersinitiative.org/journal/world-stroke-day-2025/Wed, 29 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMTArticlesSmileBuilders InitiativeStroke myths are examined for World Stroke Day 2025, from the belief that it only affects older people to the F.A.S.T. warning signs and the risk factors.https://smilebuildersinitiative.org/journal/world-mental-health-day-2025/https://smilebuildersinitiative.org/journal/world-mental-health-day-2025/Fri, 10 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMTArticlesSmileBuilders InitiativeWorld Mental Health Day 2025 focuses on access to mental health services in humanitarian emergencies. Mosopeoreoluwa Odufuwa writes on why it matters.https://smilebuildersinitiative.org/journal/world-lung-cancer-day-2025/https://smilebuildersinitiative.org/journal/world-lung-cancer-day-2025/Fri, 01 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMTArticlesSmileBuilders InitiativeWorld Lung Cancer Day 2025 is a reminder that tobacco and smoke from cooking fuels drive lung cancer in Nigeria. Learn the warning signs and prevention.https://smilebuildersinitiative.org/journal/world-hypertension-day-2025/https://smilebuildersinitiative.org/journal/world-hypertension-day-2025/Sat, 17 May 2025 00:00:00 GMTArticlesSmileBuilders InitiativeWorld Hypertension Day 2025 marks a disease affecting 46 percent of Africans aged 25 and above. Fawaz Bello examines the barriers to control in Africa.https://smilebuildersinitiative.org/journal/rethinking-nigerias-approach-to-non-communicable-diseases/https://smilebuildersinitiative.org/journal/rethinking-nigerias-approach-to-non-communicable-diseases/Sun, 04 May 2025 00:00:00 GMTOpinion PiecesSaidat Olugbemisoye OlokoNon-communicable diseases in Nigeria rise with changing lifestyles. Dr Saidat Oloko argues for Lifestyle Medicine and self-care rather than pills alone.https://smilebuildersinitiative.org/journal/ncd-watch-may-25/https://smilebuildersinitiative.org/journal/ncd-watch-may-25/Sat, 03 May 2025 00:00:00 GMTNCD WatchSmileBuilders InitiativeNCD Watch for May 2025 examines barriers to healthcare access for NCD prevention and treatment in Nigeria, from infrastructure gaps to cost. Full PDF.https://smilebuildersinitiative.org/journal/addressing-mental-disorders-in-nigeria/https://smilebuildersinitiative.org/journal/addressing-mental-disorders-in-nigeria/Sat, 15 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMTOpinion PiecesValentino OnwukaMental disorders in Nigeria affect an estimated 40 million people, yet most get little treatment. Valentino Onwuka examines the causes and the way forward.https://smilebuildersinitiative.org/journal/addressing-the-burden-of-hypertension-in-nigeria/https://smilebuildersinitiative.org/journal/addressing-the-burden-of-hypertension-in-nigeria/Sat, 01 Feb 2025 00:00:00 GMTOpinion PiecesDr. Ukpong Bieteti SebastianHypertension in Nigeria affects about 30 percent of adults. Dr Ukpong Bieteti Sebastian makes the case for digital health tools and community education.https://smilebuildersinitiative.org/journal/ncd-watch-december/https://smilebuildersinitiative.org/journal/ncd-watch-december/Sun, 29 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMTNCD WatchSmileBuilders InitiativeNCD Watch for December 2024 looks at mental health disorders as non-communicable diseases and their growing burden in Nigeria. Full bulletin as a PDF.https://smilebuildersinitiative.org/journal/call-for-opinion-pieces/https://smilebuildersinitiative.org/journal/call-for-opinion-pieces/Tue, 26 Nov 2024 00:00:00 GMTNewslettersSmileBuilders InitiativeOpinion pieces on non-communicable diseases in Nigeria are invited from students, health professionals and volunteers. New deadline is 1 December 2024.https://smilebuildersinitiative.org/journal/ncd-watch-november/https://smilebuildersinitiative.org/journal/ncd-watch-november/Thu, 14 Nov 2024 00:00:00 GMTNCD WatchSmileBuilders InitiativeNCD Watch for November 2024 covers cancer in Nigeria, including breast, cervical and prostate cancer, and the case for early detection. Full PDF.https://smilebuildersinitiative.org/journal/ncd-watch-october/https://smilebuildersinitiative.org/journal/ncd-watch-october/Sat, 19 Oct 2024 00:00:00 GMTNCD WatchSmileBuilders InitiativeNCD Watch for October 2024 explains hypertension, defined as a reading of 140/90 mmHg or higher, and its main types. The full bulletin is a PDF.https://smilebuildersinitiative.org/journal/dap-5-0-project/https://smilebuildersinitiative.org/journal/dap-5-0-project/Fri, 27 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMTReportsSmileBuilders InitiativeDonate-A-Pint 5.0 is the SmileBuilders blood donation project that reduces deaths from anaemia in patients with NCDs. Twelve members ran this edition.https://smilebuildersinitiative.org/journal/knowledge-and-attitudes-of-blood-donors-toward-sickle-cell-anemia-in-ibadan/https://smilebuildersinitiative.org/journal/knowledge-and-attitudes-of-blood-donors-toward-sickle-cell-anemia-in-ibadan/Wed, 25 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMTResearchSmileBuilders InitiativeBlood donors in Ibadan were surveyed on their awareness, knowledge and attitudes toward sickle cell anaemia in this peer reviewed study in Cureus.https://smilebuildersinitiative.org/journal/ncd-watch-september/https://smilebuildersinitiative.org/journal/ncd-watch-september/Wed, 18 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMTNCD WatchSmileBuilders InitiativeNCD Watch for September 2024 explains diabetes, a chronic disorder of raised blood glucose, and its two main types. The full bulletin is a PDF.https://smilebuildersinitiative.org/journal/mobile-health-technologies-in-the-prevention-and-management-of-hypertension-a-scoping-review/https://smilebuildersinitiative.org/journal/mobile-health-technologies-in-the-prevention-and-management-of-hypertension-a-scoping-review/Thu, 29 Aug 2024 00:00:00 GMTResearchSmileBuilders InitiativeMobile health technologies for hypertension prevention and management are reviewed in this Sage study, with a focus on low and middle income countries.https://smilebuildersinitiative.org/journal/ncd-watch-august/https://smilebuildersinitiative.org/journal/ncd-watch-august/Sun, 18 Aug 2024 00:00:00 GMTNCD WatchSmileBuilders InitiativeNCD Watch for August 2024 covers prevention of non-communicable diseases such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes. The full bulletin is a PDF.https://smilebuildersinitiative.org/journal/ncd-watch-july/https://smilebuildersinitiative.org/journal/ncd-watch-july/Wed, 17 Jul 2024 00:00:00 GMTNCD WatchSmileBuilders InitiativeNCD Watch for July 2024 explains the risk factors that drive non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. The full bulletin is a PDF.https://smilebuildersinitiative.org/journal/ncd-watch-june/https://smilebuildersinitiative.org/journal/ncd-watch-june/Tue, 18 Jun 2024 00:00:00 GMTNCD WatchSmileBuilders InitiativeNCD Watch for June 2024 introduces non-communicable diseases, the conditions that do not spread from person to person. The full bulletin is a PDF.https://smilebuildersinitiative.org/journal/the-role-of-diet-in-combating-ncds/https://smilebuildersinitiative.org/journal/the-role-of-diet-in-combating-ncds/Tue, 31 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMTArticlesSmileBuilders InitiativeDiet and non-communicable diseases are closely linked. Zainab Aderounmu explains how fibre-rich foods lower NCD risk while processed foods raise it.https://smilebuildersinitiative.org/journal/the-pink-project-1-0/https://smilebuildersinitiative.org/journal/the-pink-project-1-0/Mon, 14 Feb 2022 00:00:00 GMTReportsSmileBuilders InitiativeThe Pink Project 1.0 held on 22 October 2021 at UCH Ibadan, with a breast cancer talk and medical supplies donated for 100 sessions of chemotherapy.https://smilebuildersinitiative.org/journal/our-impact-story/https://smilebuildersinitiative.org/journal/our-impact-story/Tue, 16 Feb 2021 00:00:00 GMTReportsSmileBuilders InitiativeSmileBuilders Initiative impact report from its launch on 30 June 2018 to PET Project 3.0 in 2020, covering health talks, screening and support in Ibadan.https://smilebuildersinitiative.org/journal/non-communicable-diseases-ncds-one-death-too-many/https://smilebuildersinitiative.org/journal/non-communicable-diseases-ncds-one-death-too-many/Sat, 09 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMTArticlesSmileBuilders InitiativeNon-communicable diseases kill 40 million people a year, most in poorer countries. Dr Olanrewaju Amusat explains what NCDs are and how to prevent them.