NON COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
Maryam Zakariya (DVM)
Public Health | Veterinary Medicine| One Health Advocate| master's student in global health and infectious diseases
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are disease that are long-lasting conditions with often slow in progression. They are among the leading global cause of adult mortality and morbidity. Although these illnesses are frequently linked to older age groups, statistics show that 17 million deaths from NCDs happen before the age of 70. According to estimates, 86% of these early fatalities take place in low- and middle-income nations [10]. Most non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are brought on by a combination of genetic, physiological, behavioral, and environmental variables [1]. The main types of NCDs are cardiovascular diseases (such as heart attacks and stroke), cancers, chronic respiratory diseases (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma) and diabetes. The term "NCDs" has, however, been expanded to encompass a variety of medical conditions, including hepatic, renal, and gastroenterological diseases, endocrine, hematological, and neurological disorders, dermatological conditions, genetic disorders, trauma, mental disorders, and disabilities (such as blindness and deafness) [10].
CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES (CVD)
These includes a collection of conditions that affect the heart, blood vessels, or sequelae of poor?blood supply due to a diseased vascular supply. Ischemic or coronary heart disease (IHD), stroke (both haemorrhagic and ischemic), hypertensive heart disease, or congestive heart failure (CHF) account for almost 82% of the burden of CVD mortality. According to estimates, CVD contributed to 17 million fatalities and 151 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) in 2008, or 10% of all DALYs. Nearly 80% of the burden of CVD is explained by behavioral risk factors such inactivity, cigarette use, and poor diet [2].
CANCERS
A rapid growth and division of aberrant cells in a region of the body. These cells can metastasize, or invade other body parts and spread to other organs, and they outlive normal cells. There are more than 100 different forms of cancer, and various risk factors can cause cancer to develop in various places on the body [2].
DIABETES MELLITUS
A metabolic condition in which the body is unable to effectively regulate the amount of sugar, mainly glucose, in the blood due to either impaired insulin sensitivity or insufficient pancreatic insulin synthesis. It is a significant risk factor for other causes of death and has a high attributable disability rate. A significant risk factor for CVD, renal disease, and blindness is diabetes [2].?
CHRONIC REPIRATORY DISEASES
These includes chronic conditions affecting the lungs' airways and other lung components. Asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), respiratory allergies, occupational lung illnesses, and pulmonary hypertension are some of the most prevalent. A group of progressive lung conditions known as COPD refers to diseases which make breathing difficult and include emphysema and chronic bronchitis (as shown by pulmonary function tests and x-ray evidence) [2]
RISK FACTORS
NCDs are due to a complex of interacting factors and recognize several risk factors:
BEHAVIOURAL FACTORS
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METABOLIC/MEDICAL FACTORS
SOCIO DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS
Vulnerable and socially disadvantaged people get sicker and die sooner than people?belonging to a higher social position, especially because they are at greater risk of being exposed to harmful products, such as tobacco or unhealthy food, and have limited access to health services. Moreover, since in poorer countries most health care costs must be paid by patients out of pocket, NCDs creates significant strain on household budgets, particularly for lower-income families. In low-resource settings, health care costs for CVD, cancers, diabetes or chronic lung diseases can quickly drain household resources, driving families into poverty. Each year, an estimated 100 million people are pushed into poverty because they have to pay directly for health services [7].?
AGE: Due to the widespread availability of unhealthy foods and beverages in kindergartens and schools, additional NCD risks may emerge during childhood period. As a result, many children become overweight or obese [9]. After that period of development, adolescents may develop new, harmful behaviors like smoking and consuming alcohol, which can greatly increase the risk of NCDs (3,8). With additional professional challenges that adults face, such as financial stresses, unemployment, unfulfilling professions, and low social engagement, which promote the progression of NCDs [3, 5], these harmful habits may persist throughout adulthood. Retirement and leaving a job can provide new obstacles to the elderly and have an impact on the emergence of NCDs.?Poor nutrition, lack of physical activity, alcohol and tobacco use, social isolation, and financial stress directly affect older people and strongly promotes NCDs [3].
ENVIROMENTAL FACTORS
WAY FORWARD
While many interventions may be cost-effective, some are considered “best buys” —actions that should be undertaken immediately to produce accelerated results in terms of lives saved, diseases prevented and heavy costs avoided [4].
REFERENCE
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