Public Health · Vol. 1, No. 2 · 2016 · pp. 32–35 · e-ISSN 2472-3878

Non-Communicable Diseases: A Major Problem Worldwide

Quek Kia Fatt

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17140/phoj-1-107 · Published 2016-08-31 · Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 · © 2016 The Author(s)

Also available as PDF (figures and tables appear in the PDF).

Abstract

Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) are a worldwide major problem. NCDs are ac-counted for over 36 million deaths each year and highly prevalent in low- and middle-income countries.1 It is estimated that 16 million people die prematurely before reaching the age of 70.2 It is also the leading cause of hospital admission and premature deaths. NCD comprises diabetes, asthma, hypertension, heart attacks, cancer, obesity, depression etc. Some of the major NCDs such as diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia are attributed to unhealthy lifestyle behav-iours. Four prominent risk factors namely smoking, physical inactivity, alcohol and unhealthy diet have been found to be associated with NCD deaths. Tables 1 and 2 show worldwide mor-tality in 2012 based on the 4 main non-communicable diseases and total, premature NCD and preventable risk factors relating to deaths respectively.

Keywords: Non-Communicable Diseases, Worldwide

Conclusion

Preventing NCDs is not an easy task. A lot of effort need to be taken to address the issue. The government and the public need to seriously pay more attention and take necessary action so that NCDs can be reduced. The role of government is important and it requires good leadership as well as policy development and implementation.

Apart from that, there is a need to incorporate all strategies in order to prevent NCDs. For example, there are some successful community intervention programs for diabetes such as Kerala Diabetes Intervention Studies, 16,17 Da Qing Diabetes Prevention Study,18 Finnish Diabetes Prevention Study (DPS) 19 which incorporated various strategies such as peer support, lifestyle changes/modification (diet, physical activity), education sessions, health education booklet etc.

Most of the premature deaths are due to NCDs that are preventable. If the public is still apathetic to their actions, the NCDs will increase and the government will have to spend more money on the treatment, resources and the country suffers from the loss of productivity. Before it is too late, appropriate actions are required and all the contributing factors to NCDs need to be addressed. It is vital for the community/public to take charge of their own health and not place the responsibility solely on the care of healthcare providers. The public also need to be aware that NCDs kill and action needs to be taken before they develop the condition(s).

The nine global targets for prevention and control of NCDs set by WHO: reducing alcohol consumption, increasing physical activity, reducing salt/sodium intake, reducing the use of tobacco, containing hypertension, slowing down the rise of diabetes and obesity, improving the treatment coverage for prevention of heart attacks and strokes, access to basic technologies and essential medicines, as well as reducing 25% of premature deaths of the four major NCDs by 20252, are realistic and achievable.

Future Direction

To reduce the burden of NCDs, the government needs to play an active role not only to implement policies but also to ensure that the strategies are fully implemented and monitored. At the lower level, there is a need to ensure that the intervention program is tailor made accordingly to individual needs. Each health clinic/health centre should have a wellness centre dedicated to NCDs to provide counseling and also to monitor progress. The needs of each individual are different from one another. As such there is a need to customize the intervention package according to individual needs.

Further to the management of existing population with NCDs, the government, particularly the Ministry of Health should focus on the prevention of NCDs by targetting the high risk groups. Apart from that, Ministry of Health and Nutrition Society should endorse a recommended standardized nutritional menu with proper nutritional standards to enable the public to use it as a dietary guide.

Awareness, attitude and practice are the most important contributing factors for NCDs. The strategies need to focus on those who are unaware of the NCDs and on those who are aware but with poor attitude and practice and should focus on individual or group needs rather than focus on the general group.

References

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