Helpdesk Report: Non-Communicable Diseases
Abstract
Query
Please find some information on:
- Burden: The burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Asia and Africa including trends projected into the future. Perhaps useful to have a comparator, say with Europe.
- Age structure: Are NCDs a disease of the elderly? What is the evidence that NCDs affect people at younger ages in the developing countries?
- Links with poverty: Poverty and NCD links both as a cause and consequence. A few specific examples/evidence from countries is useful along with references. Examples from South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa will be most useful.
- Extent of links of NCDs with MDGs: with particular emphasis on the health of women and children i.e. MDG 4, 5 and 8.
- Links with urbanisation
Summary
This report includes sections on:
- Burden: This section includes cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular disease and the evolution of NCDs in developing countries; in 1990 they caused 47% of all deaths, 56% in 2000 and it is estimated they will cause 69% of deaths in 2020.
- Age Structure: Studies have found that NCD risk factors increase with age.
- Links with poverty: The major NCDs have common risk factors and these are high among poor people and poor nations. The poor have the worst outcomes from NCDs.
- Links with MDGs: There are strong links with MDGs 4 and 5 on maternal and child health.
- Links with urbanisation: Rapid urbanisation has often been accompanied by large shifts in health patterns and increased the prevalence of NCDs.
Citation
Bolton, L. Helpdesk Report: Non-Communicable Diseases. Human Development Resource Centre, UK (2011) 15 pp.
Links
Updates to this page
Published 1 January 2011