Noncommunicable Diseases as an Emerging Global Health Agenda - Report Example

Running Head: NCDs as an Emerging Global Health Agenda NCDs as an Emerging Global Health Agenda Customer’s Name: Customer’s Course: Tutor’s Name: May 28th, 2012 Abstract In most cases, communicable diseases are the major focus of developing countries at the expense of the Non Communicable Diseases which according to WHO studies have been reported to be causing havoc more than the communicable diseases bringing a shift of focus to the world towards the NCDs. NCDs are a threat to societies and the world at large with the most vulnerable populations being in the developing countries due to a number of factors for instance, poverty and the myths associated with NCDs. Therefore, the paper addresses the issue of communicable diseases, factors contributing to NCDs being put on a global health agenda, the way forward and challenges in relation to the NCDs in addition to the lessons learnt from other initiatives around a single or a group of diseases. Background NCDs are among the high causes of deaths in the world with statistics indicating that they could even outstrip the communicable diseases and other causes of deaths for instance injures (Wielgosz, 2011). The burden of the NCDs lies in the developing countries that mostly have higher proportion of their population affected by the NCDs which is reflected in the developing countries continued declines in fertility rates and an increase in the mortality rates. The paper will therefore take an insight into the global reactions into the issue of NCDs, the factors that have contributed to NCDs being put on a global health agenda, how the issue of NCDs is being taken forward on a global scale, the challenges that lay ahead and that are distinct to the NCDs and the lessons that can be learned from other initiatives around a single or a group of diseases (Adler & Newman, 2002). Introduction Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases and mental ill-health have been a burden to societies and economies of many countries all over the globe (Evans & Kantrowitz, 2002). It therefore calls for concrete strategies that will be effective to tackle the problems at all levels i.e. locally, nationally and internationally. Regardless of the evidences that there have been measures put in place to control this group of diseases through promotion of health and prevention, the measures only address issues relating to human ill habits such as tobacco use, bad eating habits, alcohol use and minimized physical activities (Foster & Hillsdon, 2004). In addition, despite these measures many of the countries globally do not have firm policies to prevent and mitigate the problems associated with this kind of diseases (Grabauskas, 1990). Moreover, the technical programmes in the international level are disjoined hence no integration of actions to curb major diseases that affect humans throughout their lives. With limited resources characterizing many of the countries globally, concrete advice to address chronic diseases is important. What are the factors which have led to this issue being placed on the global health agenda? The biggest challenge facing control of mainly diabetes which is one of the common non-communicable diseases is apathy and ignorance among the policy makers. Therefore, placing it on the agenda and sensitizing people about the diseases is very important (CWS, 2001). In realization of the interconnection between both non-communicable and communicable diseases the existing projects through donors are starting to fund non-communicable diseases programmes put in place both in developed and developing countries. The main factors that contributed to the issue of non-communicable diseases being placed in the global agenda include; 1. There was need to raise awareness about non-communicable diseases at all levels such as national, global and incorporate prevention of such diseases across all governments. 2. To come up with plans to prevent and control non-communicable diseases through strengthening national policies. 3. To initiate interventions to reduce the main factors those are attributed as causes of the chronic diseases. 4. To meet 2008 WHO Resolution WHA61.14 this called for immediate action plan for international strategies to address the issue of non-communicable diseases. 5. To start research to control and prevent non-communicable diseases. 6. To join hands for a common goal which is to control and prevent chronic diseases. 7. In the recent past, non-communicable diseases have surpassed communicable diseases in deaths hence calling for concrete measures. 8. To evaluate and monitor causes of non-communicable diseases thus come up with ways to mitigate them. How and in what ways, is this now being taken forward? In the light of these, World Diabetes Foundation has started donating funds to various prevention interventions that target schools, workplaces, health cares, general public, policy makers and media in the aim of promoting healthy living standards. It is estimated that in the next few years, the school based intervention supported by World Diabetes Foundation and aimed at educating people on diabetes and other non-communicable disease are going to hit 1.3 million mark globally (Foster & Hillsdon, 2004). These interventions are not only realistic but also cost sensitive. In addition, the World Diabetes Foundation together with World Health Organization (WHO), have organized regional summits to sensitize stake holders and have firsthand experience of pains and suffering associated with diabetes and other unseen complications and illustrate to them how effective policies and interventions can help curb the problems. If the fight against non-communicable diseases is to be won globally, WHO propose that governments need to implement policies and plans to prevent and control non-communicable diseases in conjunction with international agencies, research institutes, non-governmental organizations and both private and public industries. These organizations should have specific aims such as mobilization of resources; improve existing health services and capacity building (Abelsohn et al, 2002). In addition, this is being taken forward by putting in place programmes that are aimed at supporting a wide range of health promotions and preventions. Examples of such policies are the ‘Diabetes Action Now’ programme and the UN Resolution on Diabetes. By creation of interventions and promotion of health, not only the diabetes patients how will best but also those with cancer, stroke, cardiovascular diseases as well as those with hypertension (Adami et al, 2001). Furthermore, by introducing sensitization programmes to school children about healthy diet and healthy living, the positive effects will reflect across all non-communicable diseases. Finally, these issues are being addressed by implementation of national programmes. Prior to commencement of World Diabetes Foundation, there were no institution and policies to address the issue of non-communicable diseases. Therefore, WDF and WHO are geared to increase such institutions and policies that will address the coming pandemic of diabetes and other non-communicable diseases (Darnton-Hill et al, 2004). In this, they are making sure that the interventions and initiatives are reaching the all levels as mentioned above (local, national and international). By so doing, they are making sure that these programmes are working alongside all relevant stake holders in attainment of both long-term and short-term objectives. Finally, they ensure that non-communicable issues are included in the national health strategies and that they are given the required attention and resources. This will help to mitigate the associated socio-economic burden attributed with non-communicable diseases more so to the developing countries. Of current, the foundation is supporting interventions in countries like Tanzania, Kenya, China, Cameroon, Ghana and India (WHO, 2011). For example, in Osun state of Nigeria the Nigerian government together with local government are worked in conjunction with Nigerian Heart Foundation to provide all school attending children aged between 3 to 7 years with healthy meal every day. This is important because it will not only help children fight malnutrition and other short-term illness but also fight against cardiovascular illness and other non-communicable diseases. Other case studies reveal that the strategies are moving from local levels to national levels and finally to international levels. For example, the Stop Diabetes programme implemented in Australia has moved to other parts of the world. The programme targeted pregnant women with diabetes by helping them understand the risk involved hence achieve their health objective (Alwan et al, 2010). Another example of intervention is the Community Intervention for Health implemented in Kerala, India which is aimed at creating a more health supporting local initiative. These and many more interventions are working to mitigate and curb NCDs infects and effects. Moreover, they are working to support the global health agenda of preventing non-communicable diseases as well as promoting health. The key challenges that lie ahead With NCDs surpassing the communicable diseases in the number of deaths, and with lack of proper interventions and policies to promote health and prevent non-communicable diseases, there are a number of challenges that lay head. With that, the burden caused by non-communicable diseases continues to increase on a global scale (Garrett, 2007). Most of the NCDs have common preventable lifestyle associated risk factors with communicable diseases which include social, environmental and economic factors of health. However, there are other factors like education, affordability, availability, access to health facilities, policies and infrastructures that are related to NCDs though not directly. The international food, tobacco and beverage industries have changed greatly on the peoples’ lifestyle hence increasing chances of being infected with NCDs. In addition, globalization has contributed to changes in living and working patterns. Consequently, though globalization is justified by the need of global economy, there is need to minimize the negative social impacts on health and environment. Poverty has been a great challenge to the fight against NCDs (Alwan, et al, 2010). Again, most of the poor countries don’t take the issue of non-communicable diseases with the required seriousness. In fact, they address other issues that affect countries’ economies other than non-communicable diseases issue. Furthermore, even if the interventions and policies are put in place, they are not implemented to the fullest hence no effective mitigation. Climate change which has led to global warming has increased causes of non-communicable diseases in the sense that, changes in the environment has led to food insecurity hence malnutrition. Meningitis is one of the non-communicable disease that is associated with high temperatures hence increase in the average earth’s temperature may lead to many cases of meningitis illnesses. Moreover, increased temperatures and minimal rainfall may lead to increased airborne pollution which can cause asthma and bronchitis (Leikauf, 2002). The changes in the ozone layer due to greenhouse effect will lead to increased exposure to harmful UV rays which are known to cause skin cancer. Another challenge lays on the interconnection of communicable diseases and the non-communicable diseases. The common examples are the strong connection between tuberculosis and NCDs, and HIV/AIDs with NCDs more so cancer. These have been a major threat in meeting millennium development goal target (Fields et al, 2004). Non-communicable diseases are more in women and girls than in men and boys; this has raised a concern to World Health Organization and other health service implementers and has called for clear studies that will reveal the causes (WHO, 2008-2013). This places the women’s health and development for gender interventions and policies. The governments and other policies makers are reluctant in making policies that will effectively address the issue of non-communicable diseases. The failure in the development of these policies has been, still is and will continue being a challenge in addressing the issues of non-communicable diseases (Garrett, 2007). With the fact that, undeveloped and developing countries have low economies which cannot cater for its people’s needs, the fight against NCDs has a long way to go before it is being achieved. The development of strategies to promote health and prevent NCDs is a complex task which involves large amounts of money and excellent knowledge, which no single country can afford (WHO, 2011). This is a challenge in the sense that, not many countries are willing to fund the interventions and workshops designed to fight against non-communicable diseases. Another challenge associated with the fight against NCDs is the myths and misconceptions related to the diseases. These misconceptions include; serious diseases like non-communicable diseases are of the affluent. This is not true since the diseases are actually associated with the low socio-economic population with no access to medical care hence greater vulnerability (Prentice & Moore, 2005). Other such myths are that chronic illness result mainly from freely chosen risks, the elderly are the most vulnerable, treating persons with such illness in the health sector is enough strategy for prevention of such chronic diseases, and the only beneficiary to treatment are the infected individuals, just to mention but a few. These misconceptions and myths have affected greatly the process of prevention of NCDs in many countries and are being addressed in the global agenda (Garrett, 2007). The changing geo-political, demographic development and global market is determining the countries that will have conflicts. Thus, countries with high income and high life expectancy will have a higher burden of NCDs. In worse situations, places with high violent contribute to mental ill health related to exposure to traumatizing situations and displacements. Finally, there is a challenge in fighting some of the major chronic diseases like cancer due to lack of enough research to invent a cure to such illness (Bandura, 2004). What can be learned from other major initiatives around a single or group of diseases? The spread of communicable has been increased with increased movement of people due to integrated global trade (Shakarishvili et al, 2010). The increased emergence of new infectious diseases has called for both international and national initiatives to improve control of communicable diseases. In fact, according to World Health Organization, the information obtained on infectious diseases and the agency of sharing the information has been a major factor in fighting communicable diseases. If such strategies are applied in fighting non-communicable diseases, the fight could be won with less efforts and costs. Another area of learning is HIV/AIDS scale-up. With the effects of HIV scale-up being highly varied and intensely appropriate, the experience in here can be applied in prevention, treatment and care of other chronic diseases (Janssens et al, 2007). Therefore, the interventions and initiatives should target the long-time loyalty to medication and other strong programmes to mitigate the effects and the stigma associated with such illness. In the long-run, the fight against NCDs will succeed if such serious and strong measures are adopted. Conclusion In conclusion, the fight against NCDs has greatly advanced in the recent past due to the issue being addressed on a global scale. However, there are many factors that have contributed to the issue being addressed from that perspective. The main reason being non-communicable diseases are killing more people than the communicable diseases (Baranowski et al, 2003). With the changing global economy and climate, the fight against these chronic diseases is faced with a number of challenges. If the challenges are addressed with lessons learnt from other initiatives from other major diseases like HIV/AIDS, the initiatives and programmes will be effective hence prevention and cure of such chronic diseases. Finally, it is worth noting that even with these initiatives, interventions and programmes there will still be people infected with chronic diseases due to the dynamic nature of the world we live in. References Abelsohn, A, Stieb, D, Sanborn, M & Weir, E. (2002) .Identifying and managing adverse environmental health effects: 2. Outdoor air pollution: Canadian Medical Association Journal, 166: 1161-1167. Adami, H, Day, N, Trichopoulos, D, & Willett, W. (2001) .Primary and secondary prevention in the reduction of cancer morbidity and mortality: European Journal of Cancer, 37: 118-127. Adler, N. & Newman, K. (2002) .Socioeconomic disparities in health: Pathways and policies. Health Affairs, 21: 60-76. 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