About NCD
NCD stands for non-communicable diseases and includes cancer, diabetes, lung and heart diseases, as a contrary to communicable diseases like malaria, HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis.
What are NCDs (Non-communicable diseases)?
NCDs (non-communicable diseases) are chronic conditions that are not transmitted from person to person. NCDs often develop over a long period and may result from a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors.
When we focus on the most prevalent NCDs, we refer to the 5x5 framework, which highlights the five main diseases and risk factors:
Diseases:
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Lung diseases
- Mental health
Risk factors:
- Smoking
- Alcohol consumption
- Physical inactivity
- Unhealthy diet
- Air pollution
How can you prevent NCDs:
- Avoid smoke and smoking
- Avoid areas with high air pollution
- Drink less alcohol
- Eat a healthy diet
- Stay active
NCDs and Disability
NCDs can lead to disability. A lung disease like COPD limits the ability to breathe and can make daily activities challenging. Cancer can result in physical limitations due to treatments or the disease itself, while diabetes can cause vision loss and amputations that impair mobility. Cardiovascular diseases, such as stroke, can lead to paralysis and speech difficulties. In addition to physical disabilities, these diseases can also lead to mental health challenges such as depression and social isolation.
NCDs – The World’s Leading Cause of Death
Cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and lung diseases (NCDs) cause more deaths each year than all other diseases combined. The rising number of NCD cases worldwide—particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)—is linked to the economic changes of the 21st century, where more people are moving to cities, have sedentary jobs, eat unhealthy diets, and smoke and drink excessively.
NCDs in East Africa
NCDs are a relatively new phenomenon in East Africa, which has escalated significantly in recent years, partly due to globalization. The healthcare systems in the East African countries where we work are not equipped to handle NCDs. These diseases are often detected far too late, and hospitals are overwhelmed with patients.
When a family member is affected by cancer, diabetes, or a heart or lung disease, limited access to affordable medicine and healthcare services increases the risk of the disease resulting in chronic disability and/or premature death. The poorest families affected by illness are pushed even further into poverty, as they are unable to work during treatment, which is costly and often takes place in hospitals far from their homes.
Critical if the NCD epidemic is Not Contained
The number of NCD cases is expected to rise dramatically, especially in the African region. If nothing is done to stop this negative trend, the global NCD epidemic will continue and undermine the goals set by the UN to reduce poverty and promote development.
The world will face an unprecedented economic burden, one that even the richest countries will not be able to handle.
The Way Forward
The number of people affected by cancer, diabetes, lung, and cardiovascular diseases can be reduced through interventions that can even generate income, such as taxes on tobacco and alcohol.
Unfortunately, there is a lack of political engagement and far too many political and organizational vested interests at play, which limit the involvement of key local, national, and international actors.
Global Focus on the NCD Epidemic
Fortunately, at the highest international level, there is now recognition of the importance of addressing NCDs.
For many years, the focus in the UN was mainly on malaria, HIV/AIDS, and tuberculosis (infectious diseases). As a result, for many years, international efforts against NCDs were about drawing attention to non-communicable diseases.
In 2015, NCDs were successfully included in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which provide the framework for global development efforts until 2030 and have been signed by 193 world leaders.
This is a critical starting point for the work to reduce the number of NCD cases globally.
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