Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) – the main four being Cardiovascular diseases, Cancers, Chronic respiratory diseases, and Diabetes- are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally. NCDs place a significant burden on the population health and on the economic and social development. 

NCDs can cause a threat on the progress towards the 2030 agenda of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); specifically, target 3.4 of the SDGs, which calls for a one-third reduction in the premature mortality due to NCDs by 2030. 

Additionally, the economic burden of NCDs threaten the achievement of other SDGs, particularly reducing poverty, inequalities, and hunger, as well as access to quality education and gender equality.

Impact of Non-Communicable Diseases

NCDs have a devastating and long-lasting impact on one's financial security and on the national economic growth. In Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs), NCDs often affect the people during their most productive years (30-69 years). 

More than three-quarters of the global NCD deaths, i.e. 31.4 million, occur in LMICs. Consequently, when individuals with NCDs face tremendous healthcare costs and a restricted ability to work, their households struggle with increased financial risk. 

As a result, these high healthcare expenses and reduced productivity strain the developing economies and stifle social and economic development.

Risk Factors of Non-Communicable Diseases

The vulnerable and socially disadvantaged people get sicker and die sooner than the socially advantaged individuals, as they are at a greater risk of being exposed to harmful products such as tobacco, unbalanced diets, and have limited or no access to good quality health services.

This article was contributed by our expert Valentine Kamau

Frequently Asked Questions Answered by Valentine Kamau

Q1. How can Africa’s healthcare system be improved? 

Following the Covid-19 pandemic, it has become increasingly urgent to develop Africa’s healthcare system sustainably. Adoption of Africa CDC’s new public health order in the five core areas will be a step in the right direction of improving Africa’s healthcare system. 

• Strong regional institutions will guide priorities, coordinate policies and programs, and drive standard-setting and disease surveillance. 
• Regional organizations have a more significant role in pandemic governance by decentralizing institutions and having regional representatives in key agencies to ensure that the needs of each region are considered in planning central mechanisms such as surveillance systems.  
• Strong, high-level partnerships between donors and governments, public and private sectors, and public health institutions. 
• Investment in the public health workforce to diversify and strengthen skills and expertise to ensure health security on the continent. 
• Local production of vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics to effectively address the continent’s global health challenges. Africa will need to increase the local manufacture and production of medicines, vaccines, and diagnostics.

Q2. Why are non-communicable diseases increasing? 

The rise of NCDs has been driven by four major risk factors: 

Tobacco use: It leads to 14% of all NCDs deaths globally among adults aged 30 years and above. Tobacco smoke is dangerous to the health of smokers and can be dangerous to those passively exposed. There are more than 4000 chemicals in tobacco smoke, of which 250 are known to be harmful and more than 69 known to cause cancer. 

Physical inactivity: It increases the risk of the four major NCDs – coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes. Globally, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men do not meet the recommended levels of physical activity; consequently, up to 5 million deaths a year could be averted if the population was more active. 

Harmful use of alcohol: It leads to 3.3 million preventable deaths annually all over the world. Men (7.6%) are nearly twice as likely as women (4%) to suffer from deaths attributable to alcohol. 

Unhealthy diets: Diets consisting of mainly high-calorie and fatty foods have led many countries to experience the double burden of malnutrition, where undernutrition occurs alongside overnutrition.