Non-communicable diseases: The unrecognised public health threat
Health is rarely the topic of discussion at the UN general assembly. But starting September 19, the UN began a high-level meeting to debate a strategy to tackle non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
Health is rarely the topic of discussion at the UN general assembly. But starting September 19, the UN began a high-level meeting to debate a strategy to tackle non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This is the second time that the world body is calling a meeting on health. More than a decade ago, the adverse economic impact of HIV/AIDS galvanised it to find ways to fund, prevent and treat the killer disease. The current meeting will focus on four non-communicable diseases—cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic lung diseases and diabetes. These are now health problems of similar proportions
Low and middle income group countries are more at risk of NCDs. Lack of access to treatment is a problem here.Developed countries too are are at risk but at least they have options. A round up of disease prevalence and risk factors:
The environment we live in make us susceptible to many of the non-communicable diseases. These include air pollution, toxins and diet. Down To Earth has regularly reported on these issues through the years. Some selected articles:
