There is a scarcity of literature in the field of public health with regard to the surveillance of non-communicable diseases but there are various proposals for programs and various networks in operation throughout the 5 continents. The subject is in debate all over the world not only because cardiovascular disease is now the leading cause of death in most countries, but because of what is already being considered a pandemic of obesity, including children and adolescents. The diabetes endemic is expected. In Brazil the situation is serious. The population is aging fast and this rapidly accentuates the importance of obesity and diabetes as a public health issue. Healthcare up to now has been curative. However, this does not de facto and de jure assure the uninterrupted treatment of NCD within the basic healthcare system. The text presented gives a summary of the NCD surveillance in general and comments on the STEPwise approach to NCD surveillance proposed by the World Health Organization for the emerging countries as Brazil. To have this proposal accepted, a critical analysis of the secondary data available in Brazil and mentioned in the proposal is necessary. Methodologically standardized primary data with an emphasis on risk factors should also be produced within a short timeframe.
Non-communicable diseases; Surveillance; Programs; Pandemic; Epidemic
