NCDs: Prevalence and Effects on Healthcare

Irene Tito, 12/5/24

What are NCDs? 

The term Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) describes a collection of illnesses that are not primarily brought on by an acute infection but impact long-term health and frequently necessitate long-term care. 

These ailments include chronic lung diseases, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and malignancies.

Many other important conditions are also considered NCDs, including injuries and mental health disorders.

Who does it affect most?

According to the World Health Organization; Children, adults, and the elderly (all age groups) are vulnerable to the risk factors contributing to NCDs, whether from unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, exposure to tobacco or harmful alcohol use, or air pollution.

Key Facts:

• Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) kill 41 million people each year worldwide, equivalent to 71% of all deaths globally. In the Region of the Americas, 5.5 million deaths are from NCDs. 

• Each year, 15 million people—2.2 million in the Region of the Americas—die from an NCD between the ages of 30 and 69 years; over 85% of these "premature" deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. 

• Cardiovascular diseases account for most NCD deaths, or 17.9 million people annually, followed by cancers (9.0 million), respiratory diseases (3.9 million), and diabetes (1.6 million), globally.

• These 4 groups of diseases account for over 80% of all premature NCD deaths.

• Detection, screening, and treatment of NCDs and palliative care are key components of the response to NCDs.

Metabolic Risk Factors

Metabolic risk factors contribute to four key metabolic changes that increase the risk of NCDs.

1. Raised blood pressure.

2. Overweight /obesity.

3. Hyperglycemia (high blood glucose levels) &

4. Hyperlipidemia (high levels of fat in the blood) 

Fact: “In terms of attribute death, the leading metabolic risk factor globally is elevated blood pressure (to which 19% of global deaths are attributed), followed by overweight/ obesity, and raised blood glucose.”

What is screening? 

Screening refers to the process of checking for a particular condition in individuals before its manifestation. It involves using a variety of tests to identify risk factors or early signs of a disease or condition. The goal of screening is to catch potential health issues early, which can lead to better treatment outcomes and improved health overall.

How can NCDs be screened?

1. Risk assessment.

This can be done by surveying and questionnaires, in which individuals may fill out surveys to assess lifestyle factors (e.g., smoking, diet, physical activity) and family history of diseases.

2.  Laboratory Tests.

This can be done by taking blood tests checking cholesterol levels, blood glucose levels, and liver function tests. This helps identify risks for conditions like diabetes and heart disease. 

Screening for specific cancers, e.g., mammograms for breast cancer, Pap smears for cervical cancer, and colonoscopies for colorectal cancer.  

3. Clinical Evaluation.

This can be done by doctors conducting thorough examination to check for symptoms related to NCDs and also reviewing the family history since it can help identify individuals at higher risks.  

4. Regular Check-ups.

 Routine check-ups are essential for early detection, especially for high-risk groups (e.g., older adults, individuals with a family history of NCDs)

Treatment of NCDs

• Lifestyle modification: this can be done by following a dietary and nutrition plan, doing physical activities. 

• Medications: all medical conditions should be treated and worked on to prevent any future risks.

• Monitoring and follow-up: this is by doing regular monitoring of health markers to assess on the efficacy of the treatment. Follow-ups and appointments could also be planned. 

• Education and Support: Patient education on managing their conditions, recognizing symptoms, and understanding treatment plan. Support groups and counseling can help with adherence to lifestyle changes and coping strategies.

• Multidisciplinary Approach: Involves collaboration between various healthcare providers, including primary care physicians, specialists, dietitians, and mental health professionals, to provide comprehensive care.

• Access to Healthcare: Ensuring access to healthcare services is crucial for effective screening and treatment. Public health initiatives often focus on reducing barriers to access.

Prevention

Just as how tobacco use or alcohol use can lead to NCDs, preventing it includes reducing or cutting off completely alcohol or tobacco, and reducing other risk factors such as; physical inactivity and having unhealthy diets.

References

PAN AMERICAN HEALTH ORGANIZATION.

https://www.paho.org/en/topics/noncommunicable-diseases

WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION.

https://www.who.int/