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WHO report on Non-communicable diseases (NCDs)
Why is it in news?
- According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) recent report, Non-communicable diseases (NCDs)-mainly cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases, diabetes and cancer-continue to be the top killers in the South-East Asia Region, claiming 8.5 million lives each year.
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- Data points:
- Non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease, are collectively responsible for over 70% of all deaths worldwide, or 41 million people.
- These include 15 million people dying prematurely, aged between 30 and 69.
- Health goal: Containing the NCDs has been listed by the WHO as its health goal for this year along with reducing mortality related to air pollution and climate change, global influenza pandemic etc.
- Four ‘major’ NCDs causing behavioural risk factors: Tobacco use, unhealthy diet, insufficient physical activity and harmful use of alcohol.
- Socio-economic effects:
- One third of these deaths is premature and occurs before the age of 70, affecting economically productive individuals.
- The NCDs disproportionately affect the poor, impoverish families, and place a growing burden on health care systems.
- Fibre, whole grains as a solution:
- A study conducted world-wide has noted that consuming fibre and whole grains can reduce health risks from non-communicable diseases such as heart disease.
- The paper published in The Lancet indicates that eating fibre-rich foods reduces the incidence of coronary heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and colorectal cancer by 16% to 24%.
Source
The Hindu