Publication: Noncommunicable Diseases in Saudi Arabia: Toward Effective Interventions for Prevention
Date
2021-11-12
ISSN
Published
2021-11-12
Author(s)
Abstract
Saudi Arabia is at an early stage of its demographic transition to an
older population, and so it has an opportunity to prepare early for a
rising noncommunicable disease (NCD) epidemic. NCDs, such as cancers,
cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and chronic respiratory diseases and
their associated behavioral risk factors—tobacco use, unhealthy diet,
and physical inactivity—are an increasing economic and public health
challenge. An aging population is expected to significantly increase
the prevalence of NCDs and the related demand for costlier health care
services.
Interventions and reforms to prevent NCDs, and to minimize current
and future treatment costs, are needed now, particularly if Saudi Arabia
is to achieve the Vision 2030 goal of increasing life expectancy from
75 years in 2021 to 80 years in 2030. To support strategic planning
efforts, Noncommunicable Diseases in Saudi Arabia: Toward Effective
Interventions for Prevention assesses the latest evidence on the prevalence
and risk factors; explores the health and economic burden of NCDs, as well
as their impact on human capital; and identifies key gaps in prevention
efforts and ways to address these gaps.
The book discusses the need for a national master plan for NCD
prevention—one that is selective and targeted, with a particular focus
on improving the implementation of cost-effective interventions and
achieving results. To be successful, the national master plan will need to
take into account the roles of the different stakeholders and their likely
responsibilities in implementation.
The book will be of interest to all those who work on NCDs in
Saudi Arabia and beyond.
Citation
“Alqunaibet, Ada; Herbst, Christopher H.; El Saharty, Sameh; Algwaizini, Abdullah. 2021. Noncommunicable Diseases in Saudi Arabia : Toward Effective Interventions for Prevention. International Development in Focus;. © Washington, DC: World Bank. http://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/36546 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”