Publication: Effective Responses to Non-communicable Diseases : Embracing Action Beyond the Health Sector
Date
2011-09
ISSN
Published
2011-09
Author(s)
Meiro-Lorenzo, Montserrat
Villafana, Tonya L.
Harrit, Margaret N.
Abstract
Effective responses to non-communicable
disease: Embracing action beyond the health sector focuses
on solutions, indicating opportunities for the prevention
and control of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and the
kinds of actions that will achieve it. NCDs exact a heavy
toll on individuals and society. They cause disease,
disability, and death, and reduce productivity which is
vital for development. They also impose hefty costs on
health services, particularly since NCDs frequently lead to
ongoing disability and need for long-term care. Prevention
that results in healthy aging and the reduction of morbidity
is far more cost-effective and financially sustainable than
treatment alone. A small number of proven prevention
measures could stem the rise of the NCD epidemic. Data
indicate the potential of affordable, potent, prevention
tools focused on five key areas: tobacco, alcohol, diet,
exercise and nutrition. Together, programs targeting these
areas could reduce the burden of NCDs by more than half,
while costing only a tiny fraction of current health
spending. Since successful prevention involves multiple
sectors and actors, countries will need to adopt a framework
that clearly sets out the different levels of accountability
of each role player. Such a framework will require strong
national buy-in, but there are tools, examples, and support
agencies available to facilitate this. Middle- and
low-income countries can seize the opportunity and act now
to tackle NCDs and the underlying risk factors of these
diseases. If they do so, these countries will greatly
increase their prospects of reaping the full benefits of
their demographic dividend, and of ensuring sustained
economic development, greater equality, and a better quality
of life for their people in the years ahead.
Citation
“Meiro-Lorenzo, Montserrat; Villafana, Tonya L.; Harrit, Margaret N.. 2011. Effective Responses to Non-communicable Diseases : Embracing Action Beyond the Health Sector. Health, Nutrition and Population (HNP)
discussion paper;. © World Bank, Washington, DC. http://openknowledge.worldbank.org/entities/publication/31aec831-66f6-5732-aa5a-cf39cc9f893e License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”