Non Communicable Diseases (World Health Organization)
Recently the World Health Organization has released the ‘Invisible Numbers: Real Prevalence of Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs)’ report.
- NCDs are also called chronic diseases. Cancer, diabetes etc. are prime examples of this. These result from a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental and behavioral factors.
- According to this WHO report, NCDs are responsible for 74 percent of deaths in the world. However, by taking the necessary measures, at least 39 million deaths from NCDs can be avoided by
- The report noted that only 5% of external aid to health is used in the prevention and control of NCDs.
- The effects of COVID-19 have made the condition of people suffering from NCDS worse.
- NCDs damage the economy through low-productivity at work, premature retirement and out-of-pocket expenditure.
Key recommendations
- The emphasis is on the Implementation Roadmap 2023-2030 for the Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of NCDs.
- NCDS needs to be integrated with primary health care and support universal health coverage.
- NCDS related services should be included in the basic benefit package for universal health coverage.
- Advertising of unhealthy foods should be banned. Also, unhealthy products should be taxed.
- This report has been released in pursuance of the launch of the Global NCD Compact 2020-2030. The Global NCD Compact aims to accelerate progress on the prevention and control of NCDS.
- It is a high level flagship initiative of the Department of NCDs of WHO.
- Its purpose is to ensure that member states adopt policies and programs that provide better NCDS prevention outcomes. Also, the lives of people suffering from NCDs can be saved.
Other related headlines:
- India has won the United Nations Award for its Hypertension Control Initiative.
- This initiative has been launched under the National Health Mission to tackle the problem of hypertension within the existing primary health system.
Source – The Hindu
