266170 Global landscape of CNCDs and the imperative for prevention

Wednesday, October 31, 2012 : 11:30 AM - 11:50 AM

Gopal Sankaran, MD, DrPH, CHES , Department of Health, West Chester University of Pennsylvania, West Chester, PA
Chronic non-communicable diseases pose an enormous challenge to individuals, communities and nations in the 21st century. They have replaced communicable diseases as the leading causes of death accounting for almost two-thirds of the total 57 million deaths worldwide in 2008. The top CNCDs include cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes and chronic lung diseases. Paradoxically, the majority of deaths (over 80%) occur in low- and middle-income nations with 29% dying prematurely before reaching the age of 60. These nations have health systems that are evolving, often with inadequate infrastructure and human capital, and are seldom in a position to meet the high demand for care created by CNCDs. Even in high-income nations increasing longevity, frequent use of expensive technology, rising costs of in-patient care and out-patient services and other related factors are translating into larger share of health care budget being accounted for by CNCDs. The lack of a permanent cure for several of the CNCDs underscores the imminent need for formulating and implementing plans, policies and programs that focus on prevention. The modifiable major behavioral risk factors (tobacco use, sedentary lifestyle, alcohol misuse and unhealthy diet) that contribute greatly to the occurrence of leading CNCDs are amenable to primary prevention. Development and implementation of prevention programs, with appropriate resources and long-term commitment, can lead to considerable decline in CNCDs related global burden of morbidity, disability and mortality. This paper, in addition to above themes, will focus on prevention strategies that have shown promise in curbing the occurrence and impact of CNCDs.

Learning Areas:
Chronic disease management and prevention
Epidemiology
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related public policy

Learning Objectives:
1. Discuss the global burden of CNCDs in terms of morbidity, disability, and mortality. 2. Specify the adverse impact of CNCDs on the fiscal and health system resources of nations. 3. Explain the imminent need to reduce the global burden of CNCDs through prevention plans, policies and programs. 4. Identify prevention strategies that have helped in reducing the occurrence and impact of CNCDs.

Keywords: Chronic Diseases, Prevention

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Trained and experienced (25+ years) in three interrelated discipines--medicine, public health and health promotion. Have researched and presented on this topic in professional conferences.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.