Non Communicable diseases in the US: An Ongoing Challenge

At present in the United States, NCDs account for 70 percent of deaths, limit the activities of tens of millions more Americans, which costs the US economy billions of dollars. Cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes are the NCDs are the biggest contributors to increased morbidity and mortality in the United States. The four major behavioral risk factors are tobacco usage, alcohol abuse, lack of physical exercise, and unhealthy dietary habits. According to a survey conducted by the NCD Alliance these diseases are currently responsible for 63 percent of deaths worldwide and a whopping 87 percent of deaths in the United States (that's more than 4 out of 5!), making NCDs the leading cause of death in America. A low socio- economic status and lack of education on health style modification in certain ethnic groups in the US have resulted in their being at an increased risk for NCDs. This presentation will focus on the causative factors form this epidemic of NCDs in the US and examine policy at local, state and national levels in place to improve the health of societies. The role of stake holders working at grass roots to address this growing public health challenge will discussed and recommendations will be made.