08.01.2020
Mobilising society to implement solutions for non-communicable diseases

British Medical Journal "Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) constitute a major global health challenge hampering nations’ economic growth and sustainable development. Nearly three quarters (71%) of all-cause mortality worldwide is attributed to NCDs, resulting in 15 million people dying prematurely (between the ages of 30-69 years) each year. The global burden of NCDs disproportionately affects low and middle income countries, where 75% of deaths from NCDs and over 85% of all premature NCD related deaths take place.

(...) Despite the growing global interest in NCDs, progress has been insufficient because countries with limited resources struggle with weak health systems and poor national capacities, including technical expertise, research capacity, and surveillance and programme evaluation data." (Photo: Cardiovascular diseases in Karnataka, India/ Trinity Care Foundation/flickr, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)