Publication: Chronic Emergency : Why NCDs Matter
Date
2011-07
ISSN
Published
2011-07
Author(s)
Nikolic, Irina A.
Stanciole, Anderson E.
Zaydman, Mikhail
Abstract
'Chronic emergency: why non
communicable diseases (NCDs) Matter' examines the
magnitude of the challenge posed by NCDs in middle- and
low-income countries, and makes the case for elevating the
challenge as a priority item to address on the agenda of
decision-makers. NCDs are on the rise in all middle- and
low-income country regions. By 2030, NCDs are expected to
account for three quarters of the disease burden in
middle-income countries, up from two-thirds today and
approaching the level of high-income countries. In low
income countries, the NCD share of the disease burden will
increase even more quickly and will approach the levels
currently found in middle-income countries. At the same
time, many low-income countries will continue to contend
with substantial communicable disease burdens, thus facing a
double burden of disease. Further, compared to their
higher-income counterparts, many developing countries will
face elevated NCD levels at earlier stages of economic
development and with a much compressed timeline to address
the challenge. The overall economic and social cost of NCDs
vastly exceeds their direct medical costs. NCDs affect
economies, health systems, and households and individuals
through a range of drivers such as reduced labor
productivity, higher medical treatment costs, and lost
savings. These drivers aggregate into significant
socioeconomic impacts, including in the areas of: country
productivity and competitiveness; fiscal pressures; health
outcomes; and poverty, inequity and opportunity loss.
Despite the magnitude of the NCD challenge, there is
considerable space for action. While most countries will not
be able to treat their way out of the NCD challenge because
of the immense costs such a strategy requires, they can
target NCD risk factors and promote healthier lifestyles
through focused prevention efforts while also facilitating
strategic adaptation measures to mitigate the impact of NCDs
on economies, health systems, and households and individuals.
Citation
“Nikolic, Irina A.; Stanciole, Anderson E.; Zaydman, Mikhail. 2011. Chronic Emergency : Why NCDs Matter. Health, Nutrition and Population (HNP)
discussion paper;. © World Bank, Washington, DC. http://openknowledge.worldbank.org/entities/publication/8d31fecf-8ea4-5308-a462-429a6300d9b2 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”