OhMaryO

As an ongoing global pandemic, unfortunately, rages as we start the new year, I wanted to shed more light on the issues many in developed nations outside of public health/healthcare may not be as aware of, noncommunicable diseases (NCD).

Simply put, noncommunicable diseases are diseases that cannot be spread from person to person and generally encompass chronic diseases that tend to result from a combination of genetic, physiological, environmental, and behavioral factors. Examples include cancers, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, asthma, and other chronic respiratory conditions.

According to research conducted at John Hopkins, an estimated 36 million people die from such diseases each year representing 2/3 deaths globally. An alarming 80% of these deaths occur in developing countries shedding light on limited access to treatment in many of these nations. A large number of these deaths are preventable and the death toll has overtaken that of infectious disease contributing to a sense of urgency surrounding this issue.

It is important to note that often we associate deaths from many noncommunicable diseases with older individuals which is true in developed or high-income nations. This may draw some confusion, as lower life spans are often seen in these developing/lower-income nations. However, in developing nations, NCD onset often occurs at a younger age and individuals tend to have lower rates of adequate access to clinics or hospitals that are equipped to address the needs of those chronically ill. The lack of access to treatment options is just as alarming as the lower ages of onset. According to WHO (2016 report), The proportion of NCD mortality presenting in persons younger than 60 is 44% in low-income countries – nearly quadruple the rate of 12% in high-income countries. It is clear that the health of a nation impacts societal and economic health and development. Health concerns can perpetuate poverty and on this scale may prevent the necessary growth in these economies.

With the growing concern of the developmental impact NCDs have on low-income nations, this has been established as in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by the United Nations shedding not only more light on the top but creating plans to combat the issue at hand. I really look forward to the programs put in place by the United Nations and their subsequent outcomes.

This is a photo of me, my mom, and my cousins in Nigeria. Both of my female cousins in the photo grew up to be nurses who are working on the front lines of the covid pandemic along with the NCD one.