Commentary on a meeting entitled 'Building global capacity for non-communicable diseases (NCD) prevention: Defining direction and roles'.

This Commentary summarizes the key points that arose during a three-day meeting held in Atlanta in July 2012 on Building Global Capacity for NCD Prevention. A wide spectrum of participants representing many sectors of global health, including ministries of health from several low and middle-income countries (LMICs), governmental institutions, non-governmental organizations, national disease associations, academia, and global and regional institutions participated. Presentations and group discussions led to agreement on a number of actions that should be taken to increase capacity for coping with NCDs in LMICs. Key areas of discussion were on the role of research, workforce development, resources, and governance. While there was considerable agreement on what should be done, the workshop participants had difficulty in prioritizing these activities. This led to an agreement by the gathered participants that a follow-up Delphi study be conducted to help with prioritization.