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Non-communicable disease: The silent killers and how to tackle them

Sanux Team

07 Oct 2023 — 7 min read

Non-communicable disease, the definition of lifestyle chronic disease

A non-communicable disease (NCD) is a disease that is not transmissible directly from one person to another. NCDs include Parkinson's disease, autoimmune diseases, strokes, most heart diseases, most cancers, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's disease, cataracts, and others

The primary drivers behind chronic diseases like coronary artery disease (CAD), ischemic stroke, diabetes, and certain cancers are environmental factors, such as lifestyle and diet, rather than genetic predisposition. Extensive research has identified modifiable determinants of these diseases, and making changes in behaviors related to smoking, physical activity, and diet can effectively prevent the majority of cases of these chronic illnesses.

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) kill 41 million people each year, equivalent to 74% of all deaths globally. That's 112.328 per day.

To put it in perspective, of all NCD deaths, 31.4 million are in low- and middle-income countries. That's almost the population of Ukraine every year (over 41M) or more than the population of California every year or 5 times the population of NSW every year.

In the US alone 3534 people die everyday from Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer in the U.S. That’s the capacity for the Sydney Opera house, dead every day. Chronic diseases account for 45% of Americans leading to hospitalization, long-term disability, 7 out of 10 deaths and the healthcare system cost was $525 billion in 2020, and predicted $1.1 trillion by 2035

Here's a summary of key findings about NCDs

Global NCD Epidemic: NCDs are the predominant cause of death on a global scale, accounting for over 70% of all deaths worldwide, and they contribute to 90% of deaths in Australia.
Complex Origins: NCDs arise from a complex interplay of genetic, lifestyle, behavioral, and environmental factors.
Diverse NCDs: Major categories of NCDs include cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic lung disease, diabetes, and mental health disorders. These conditions not only lead to fatalities but also disrupt lives and pose a substantial threat to global sustainable development.
Mental Health Significance: Mental health disorders, particularly depression, are a significant component of NCDs and are the leading cause of disability globally. NCDs and mental health conditions often co-occur, sharing common determinants and consequences.
Prominent Risk Factors: Key drivers of NCDs encompass cigarette smoking, unhealthy dietary patterns, physical inactivity, air pollution, and harmful alcohol consumption.
Smoking's Toll: Cigarette smoking alone is responsible for 8 million annual deaths, underscoring its status as a preventable risk factor.
Dietary Concerns: Unhealthy diets, including the rising issue of obesity, have emerged as a leading global burden of disease.
Physical Inactivity Impact: Lack of physical activity contributes to approximately 3.2 million annual deaths.
Air Pollution's Toll: Widespread air pollution, affecting 9 out of 10 individuals worldwide, results in approximately 7 million premature deaths each year.
Alcohol's Consequences: Harmful alcohol use leads to 3 million annual deaths, making it the primary risk factor for premature death among individuals aged 15 to 49.
Prevention Efforts: Addressing NCDs necessitates both individual and governmental actions. At the individual level, adopting healthier lifestyles by refraining from smoking, maintaining a balanced diet, staying physically active, moderating alcohol consumption, and being mindful of air quality are essential.
Governmental Policies: Governments must implement comprehensive policies across various sectors, including health, agriculture, trade, finance, education, and transportation, to tackle NCDs on a population level. However, implementing such policies can generate conflicts between public health interests and economic considerations.
Policy Balancing Act: Notable examples, like the sugar tax on soft drinks, highlight the challenge of balancing health and economic interests in policy decisions.
Political Commitment: Finally, political will is pivotal in prioritizing public health when making policy decisions.

Here is a breakdown of the statistics for the top 10 NCDs, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) in deaths per year.

Heart disease: 17.9 million
Stroke: 6.8 million
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): 3.2 million
Trachea, bronchus, and lung cancers: 1.8 million
Diabetes: 1.5 million
Alzheimer's disease and other dementias: 1.5 million
Kidney disease: 1.2 million
Tuberculosis: 1.2 million
Liver disease: 1.1 million
Road injuries: 1.1 million
Neonatal conditions: 0.9 million

NCDs are also a major cause of disability. According to the WHO, NCDs account for over 90% of all years lived with disability. This means that NCDs have a significant impact on people's quality of life.

Why should i care?

NCDs are largely preventable by making healthy choices, such as eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and quitting smoking, you can reduce the risk of developing them.

Early diagnosis and treatment of NCDs is essential for managing these diseases and reducing the risk of complications, so by understanding the signs and symptoms of NCDs, you could seek medical attention early if they develop any of these conditions.

Overall, knowledge about NCDs is essential to make informed decisions about your health and well-being. By understanding the causes, risk factors, prevention, and management of NCDs, you could reduce their risk of developing these diseases and improve their quality of life.

Here are some specific examples of how knowledge about NCDs can be beneficial for anyone:

A person with a family history of heart disease may be able to reduce their risk of developing heart disease by making lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly.
A woman who is pregnant may be able to reduce her risk of developing gestational diabetes by eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly.
A person who smokes may be able to reduce their risk of developing lung cancer by quitting smoking.
A person with diabetes may be able to manage their condition more effectively by understanding the importance of blood sugar control and taking their medications as prescribed by their doctor.

By understanding NCDs, people can take steps to improve their health and well-being.

Strategies to Reduce the Burden of Chronic Illness

Here’s a Summary

Global Impact of Chronic Diseases: CAD, ischemic stroke, diabetes, and specific cancers, which were once prevalent mainly in high-income nations, have now become significant causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide.
Environmental Determinants: Rates of these diseases show a substantial increase among migrants from low-risk to high-risk countries and within countries over time. This shift underscores that genetics is not the primary factor; rather, environmental elements, including lifestyle and diet, play a pivotal role in their development.
Identified Risk Factors: Extensive epidemiological studies and clinical trials have identified specific dietary and lifestyle factors that influence chronic diseases. The reduction of these risk factors has the potential to prevent the majority of cases of CAD, stroke, diabetes, and many cancers in high-income populations.
Behavioral Changes for Prevention: Preventing these diseases is within reach and does not require expensive medical interventions. Instead, it necessitates changes in behaviors related to smoking, physical activity, and diet.
Key Lifestyle Factors: Obesity, physical inactivity, and unhealthy dietary choices are key contributors to chronic diseases. Maintaining a healthy weight, regular physical activity, and avoiding tobacco use are fundamental preventive measures.
Dietary Guidelines: Encouraging the consumption of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables while limiting sugar and saturated/trans fats is pivotal for disease prevention.
Urban Design and Transportation: Urban planning and transportation policies can significantly impact physical activity levels and obesity rates. Promoting walking and biking can contribute to reducing the risk of chronic diseases.
Community and Workplace Interventions: School-based programs, interventions in workplaces, and efforts by healthcare providers are essential for educating individuals and promoting healthier behaviors.
Comprehensive Strategies: Long-term, sustainable lifestyle changes and a reduction in the burden of chronic diseases require educational initiatives, policy adjustments, and community interventions.

Burden of Disease In Australia

The Australian Burden of Disease Study 2022 provides comprehensive insights into how diseases and injuries impact the Australian population by measuring the years of healthy life lost due to both ill health (non-fatal burden) and premature death (fatal burden).

The study reveals that Australians lost a staggering 5.5 million years of healthy life due to illness, constituting 52% of the total burden. The remaining 48% of the burden was attributed to premature death. A notable shift has occurred, with non-fatal burden surpassing fatal burden as the predominant contributor to the overall burden. This shift is largely due to a decrease in premature deaths in recent years.

Chronic diseases, including cancer, musculoskeletal conditions, cardiovascular diseases, mental health conditions, and neurological conditions, accounted for approximately 62% of the total burden. Notably, coronary heart disease emerged as the primary specific cause of burden, followed by dementia, back pain & problems, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and anxiety disorders.

The study also highlights the significant burden imposed by COVID-19 in 2022, ranking it 8th among specific diseases. Remarkably, 73% of this burden was fatal and more pronounced in males.

An overarching trend observed is that males generally experienced a higher total burden compared to females, largely due to elevated rates of fatal burden. The leading causes of burden exhibited variation across different age groups, with infant & congenital conditions, mental health conditions, and injuries taking prominence in specific age brackets.

Despite Australians living longer, the proportion of life spent in full health has remained relatively stable over time, suggesting a balance between longevity and morbidity.

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Sources:

Uncovering the World Health Organization's Hidden Impact on Global Health Equity

E-Cigarettes and Vaping: A Changing Landscape of Risks and Regulations

Mind, Body, Health: Understanding the Powerful Interconnections That Define Well-being

Protect Your Health and Wealth