DISHA: Developing an Integrated Surveillance Framework for Non-Communicable Diseases

DISHA is a 48-month research project funded by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) through its Investigator-Initiated NISCHAYAK ANVESHAN Extramural Grant. It seeks to develop and validate a Commercial Determinants of Health-informed surveillance framework that complements India's existing non-communicable disease (NCD) surveillance systems. The project examines how the availability of products, their marketing, pricing and regulatory implementation shape the commercial environments in which people make choices and influence health outcomes. The research will be conducted across Kerala, Gujarat, Tripura and Bihar. Dr Upendra Bhojani is the Principal Investigator, with Dr Sreenidhi Sreekumar, Dr Arun Mitra and Dr Debarati Mukherjee as Co-Principal Investigators. The project team also includes a team lead, research manager, project staff and a multidisciplinary Project Advisory Committee.